Peer review

Two feeding trials with baby pigs were conducted to evaluate the effects of additions of L-tryptophan and L-glutamic acid to a low protein (16%) starter diet on performance and plasma urea nitrogen, α-amino nitrogen and free tryptophan. In experiment 1, but not in experiment 2, glutamic acid addition (3.36%) improved rate of gain and feed efficiency. Tryptophan addition did not improve performance in either experiment. Plasma tryptophan data in both experiments indicated that the tryptophan level and availability were adequate in the low-protein diet. The response to glutamic acid suggests inadequate levels of dispensable amino acids for the baby pig in the low-protein basal diet.

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