The Isoleucine Requirement for the Growth of Swine

Abstract

A basal diet containing approximately 22% protein and consisting of blood flour supplemented with methionine was used to determine the isoleucine requirement for early growth of swine. The effects of adding various levels of dl-isoleucine (with allo-isoleucine) to this diet for weanling pigs were studied over a 4-week period. The daily feed intakes of the pigs were controlled at approximately 4.5% of body weight. The maximum response in growth and feed efficiency was obtained with the diet containing 0.7% l-isoleucine. This isoleucine requirement is equivalent to 3.2% of the dietary protein.