Nutrients & their Metabolism | Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Nutrients and Their Metabolism with Special Reference to Growth and Quality of Meat Production

Nutrients in Feed: 

• Feeds contain various nutrients including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.
• Carbohydrates and fats provide energy to the body.
• Proteins are crucial for the structural components of organs, tissues, and body fluids.
• Vitamins and minerals, although needed in smaller amounts, play essential roles in various body processes.
• Water acts as a medium for nutrient transportation and waste elimination, as well as participating in chemical reactions.

Nutrient Requirements in Pigs:

• Pigs have higher requirements for protein, minerals, and vitamins compared to other animals due to their rapid growth and early reproduction.
• Pigs, unlike ruminants, require high-quality proteins as they do not synthesize B-Complex Vitamins or certain amino acids.
• Protein, mineral, and vitamin requirements are expressed as percentages of the diet or per kilogram of ration for pigs.
• In India, piglets are categorized based on weight ranges for dietary considerations.

Energy Requirements:

• Energy requirements are typically expressed as DE (Digestible Energy) or ME (Metabolizable Energy) per kilogram of daily ration for pigs.
• The energy content of the diet influences daily feed consumption in pigs, impacting growth and body composition.
• Controlling the energy intake can alter the lean-to-fat ratio in the swine carcass.

Pregnancy and Lactation:

• Pregnant sows should have controlled energy intake to match their needs and prevent excessive weight gain.
• Lactating sows require energy levels that support maintenance and milk production, adjusted based on litter size.

Protein Requirements:

• Protein quantity and quality are crucial for optimal performance in pigs.
• The correct levels, ratios, and timing of essential amino acids are essential for pig growth and development.

Amino Acid Requirements:

• Pigs can produce arginine internally, fulfilling 2/3 of their needs.
• Cystine can meet 50-70% of the sulfur-containing amino acid requirements.
• Methionine can fulfill the total requirement in the absence of cystine.
• Phenylalanine can satisfy the total needs of phenylalanine and tyrosine.
• Tyrosine can only meet 30% of the combined requirements of phenylalanine and tyrosine.
• Dietary protein and caloric density impact the growing swine's amino acid requirements.

Fats, Vitamins, and Minerals:

• Essential fatty acids are crucial for swine growth.
• Deficiency in fatty acids can result in dermatitis and hinder growth.
• Swine diets typically contain adequate essential fatty acids.
• Linoleic acid levels between 0.03% to 0.22% are optimal for normal growth.

Essential Minerals:

• Calcium and phosphorus are crucial minerals for swine, ideally in a ratio of 1.5 to 2 to 1.0.
• Phosphorus from animal products aids in utilization due to organic binding in plant feeds.
• Interaction between mineral elements can impact utilization.

Vitamin Requirements:

• Vitamins A, D, and C are typically present in sufficient amounts in pig diets.
• Vitamin E is essential to prevent muscular dystrophy in pigs.
• Vitamin B-complex deficiency may occur in diets lacking green forage.