Effects of housing hygiene conditions on amino acid postprandial profiles in pigs selected for low and high residual feed intake

Abstract

Health challenge may affect the metabolism of nutrients. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of a systemic inflammation induced by poor housing conditions on postprandial profiles of plasma amino acids in pigs divergently selected for residual feed intake (RFI). The trial was based on a 2x2 factorial design (n=6/group) including low-RFI (LRFI) and high-RFI (HRFI) pigs housed in two hygiene conditions (Clean vs Dirty). After a 6-week challenge period, an intravenous catheter was inserted and blood samples were collected during a 4-hour period to measure plasma amino acid concentrations. Interaction between Line x Hygiene was significant (P<0.05) for plasma lysine, tryptophan and arginine average concentrations. The LRFI pigs had higher (P<0.05) tryptophan and arginine concentrations in Clean than in Dirty condition, while there was no difference between Hygiene conditions for HRFI pigs. The postprandial amino acids (AA) concentrations were differently affected by genetic selection. Further studies are needed to evaluate how immune stimulation may affect the AA metabolism of LRFI and HRFI pigs.