A note on the dispensability of proline for weanling pigs

Abstract
A proline-free, chemically defined amino acid basal diet was compared with this same diet fortified with 4g L-proline per kg when given to 5-kg pigs. During a 28-day feeding period, daily gain, food intake, and gain: food ratio of pigs given the proline-free diet were not different (P > 0·05) from those of pigs given the proline-supplemented diet. Young pigs can apparently synthesize adequate quantities of proline endogenously to meet their needs for both growth and maintenance.