GROWTH PERFORMANCE, NUTRIENTS UTILIZATION AND GUT MICROBIOTA OF PIGS FED WITH LOW PROTEIN DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH ISOLEUCINE AND VALINE

The long-term goal of this proposal is to improve feed efficiency and ultimately enhance the environmental sustainability of swine production. The overall objective of the proposed research is to characterize diets with the optimal level of isoleucine (Ile) and Valine (Val) that will improve the feed efficiency of nursery pigs receiving diets and also gain insights into the underlying mechanisms of action of these diets.The specific objectives are to determine:1) the effect of supplemental Ile, Val, and combination of both at NRC (Nutrient Requirements of Swine, 2012) levels on performance and energy balance of nursery pigs fed with moderately low protein (MLP) diets2) the effects of supplementing MLP diets with Ile, Val, and combination of both at 50% higher than NRC recommendations on growth performance and energy balance of nursery pigs.