Isoleucine and valine requirements of piglets and activity and gene expression of key enzymes of the branched-chain amino acid metabolism in response to dietary leucine excess

This study focused on the branched-chain amino acids isoleucine, valine, and leucine. The isoleucine and valine requirements of weaned pigs were estimated because they are performance limiting in low-protein diets. Interactions between the branched-chain amino acids are known but in pigs there is a lack of data. The impact of a dietary leucine oversupply on the metabolism of the branched-chain amino acids was investigated and the activity and gene expression of key enzymes were of main interest.