The Application of Tryptophan in Pig Feeding

Tryptophan, also known as β-indolylalanine, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C11H12N2O2, and is one of the essential amino acids for humans and animals.

Tryptophan is an important precursor of auxin biosynthesis in plants. Its structure is similar to IAA. It is ubiquitous in higher plants and is also the precursor of 5-hydroxytryptamine, an important neurotransmitter in the human body. Nutritional supplement for pregnant women and special milk powder for infants for niacin deficiency (pellagra). As a sedative, it can regulate mental rhythm and improve sleep. It is also one of the raw materials of compound amino acid infusion.

Tryptophan can participate in the renewal of plasma proteins in animals, and can promote riboflavin to play a role. It also helps the synthesis of niacin and heme, can significantly increase the antibodies in the fetuses of pregnant animals, and can promote lactation for lactating cows and sows. When livestock and poultry lack tryptophan, growth stagnates, body weight decreases, fat accumulation decreases, and testes of breeding males shrink.

What is the role of tryptophan in pig feeding?

(1) It can adjust the feed intake of pigs: 

Usually, poor growth conditions of piglets are often caused by poor feed intake. Lactating sows have to face the problem of weight loss because the feed intake cannot meet the needs of lactation and use their own nutrient reserves (too much weight loss will reduce the reproductive performance of sows). Therefore, it is extremely important to increase the feed intake of piglets and lactating sows.

(2) It can promote the growth of pigs: 

According to the research, the nitrogen retention test of suckling pigs with a body weight of 4 kg showed that when the L-tryptophan in the feed was increased from 0.14% to 0.26%, most of the essential amino acids were retained.

(3) It can regulate the daily behavior of pigs: 

According to experiments, increasing the L-tryptophan level of piglet feed from 0.12% to 0.22%, in addition to significantly improving daily gain. It can also significantly reduce the pig's exploration reflex time to the environment and increase the pig's sleep time. In addition, increasing L-tryptophan in the feed will also reduce tail biting and pica in pigs. Reduce the activity intensity and aggressive behavior of growing gilts and young pigs when they are mixed.

(4) It can improve the immunity of pigs: 

Tryptophan can promote the activation of immune cells, and the lack of L-tryptophan will lead to the reduction of immune function. Therefore, adding tryptophan to the diet can significantly improve the immunity of piglets.

(5) It can improve the health status of pigs: 

Tryptophan is the only essential amino acid affected in plasma, and chronic pneumonia will increase the requirement of tryptophan in animals. Adding tryptophan to feed can reduce the degree of inflammation in piglets. At the same time, the blood plasma level and piglet production level can be restored, and the threat of inflammation and dirty environment to piglets can be reduced.

Through the above introduction, everyone has understood the important role of tryptophan in the growth process of pigs. Farmers must pay attention to the tryptophan supplementation of pigs in daily feeding!