The protein-saving action of synthetic lysine and methionine

When synthetic amino acids are added to an allvegetable diet the amount of nitrogen eliminated in the urine is reduced and the nitrogen retained as tissue protein is correspondingly increased. The requirements of the weanling pig for essential amino acids have been critically examined, the work involving both growth trials and nitrogenbalance determinations in the metabolism crates. The addition of synthetic lysine and methionine to a low-protein vegetable diet had a striking effect on the thriftiness of the pigs. It is possible to secure almost as good growth and economy of food conversion on a cereal diet supplemented with as little as 6 % ex. soya-bean meal, when the amino acids are added in appropriate amounts, as is obtained on a similar diet containing sufficient white-fish meal to support maximum growth