DIETARY EFFECTS ON THE CONCENTRATIONS OF FREE AMINO ACIDS IN PLASMA AND WHOLE BLOOD OF PIGS

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Abstract
The concentrations of free amino acids in plasma and whole blood of growing pigs were examined following an overnight fast and at 2 and 5 h after eating either a semipurified diet containing casein or a natural grain-based commercial ration. The plasma:whole blood (P:B) ratio of the concentrations of threonine, proline and tyrosine changed significantly (P < 0.01) with time after feeding; methionine and lysine showed the same effect depending upon which diet was fed. Aspartic acid, citrulline, ornithine and histidine tended to show similar responses. No effect was observed on the ratios for other amino acids. Treatment effects on plasma:erythrocyte ratios were similar to those on P:B ratios. The semipurified diet resulted in increasing plasma and blood concentrations of most amino acids for 5 h after feeding whereas concentrations of most amino acids decreased after 2 h when the natural diet was fed. The natural diet appeared to stimulate greater urea cycle activity according to plasma concentrations of urea cycle metabolites. The data indicate that for some amino acids metabolic state affects plasma and whole blood concentrations differently, especially when a semipurified diet is fed. Whole blood concentrations of these amino acids are not an accurate reflection of plasma concentrations.

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