Characterizing the Dynamic Protein and Amino Acid Deposition in Tissues of Pregnant Gilts: Implications for Stage-Specific Nutritional Strategies

Understanding protein and amino acid deposition in pregnant gilts is important for developing nutritional strategies that meet these demands and enhance reproductive performance. Current models, such as the NRC (2012) gestating sow model, assume a constant proportional protein and amino acid content...

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Main Authors: Christian D. Ramirez-Camba, Pedro E. Urriola, Crystal L. Levesque
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2126
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author Christian D. Ramirez-Camba
Pedro E. Urriola
Crystal L. Levesque
author_facet Christian D. Ramirez-Camba
Pedro E. Urriola
Crystal L. Levesque
author_sort Christian D. Ramirez-Camba
collection DOAJ
description Understanding protein and amino acid deposition in pregnant gilts is important for developing nutritional strategies that meet these demands and enhance reproductive performance. Current models, such as the NRC (2012) gestating sow model, assume a constant proportional protein and amino acid content in tissues throughout pregnancy. However, empirical data suggest that gestational tissue growth and composition change dynamically. In this study, we developed a gestation model that characterizes the dynamic changes in growth, crude protein, and amino acid deposition throughout gestation. Based on a systematized search of published data, mathematical functions were developed to estimate daily protein and amino acid deposition in key tissues, including allantoic and amniotic fluid, uterus, placenta, fetus, mammary gland, and maternal body. Our results suggest that dietary crude protein levels and amino acid profiles should be adjusted to meet metabolic demands, particularly in early gestation, where a potential nutritional deficiency was identified. Additionally, the amino acid profile of deposited protein shifts during late gestation, suggesting a changing demand for specific amino acids. These findings challenge existing models and highlight the need for adaptive dietary strategies that better align with pregnancy’s biological demands. By refining protein and amino acid deposition estimates, this study provides a framework guiding future research on precision feeding, ultimately improving gilt and sow reproductive performance.
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spelling doaj-art-eda92ceb7032484facc3418aab855d992025-08-20T03:55:49ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-07-011514212610.3390/ani15142126Characterizing the Dynamic Protein and Amino Acid Deposition in Tissues of Pregnant Gilts: Implications for Stage-Specific Nutritional StrategiesChristian D. Ramirez-Camba0Pedro E. Urriola1Crystal L. Levesque2Department of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USADepartment of Animal Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108, USADepartment of Animal Science, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007, USAUnderstanding protein and amino acid deposition in pregnant gilts is important for developing nutritional strategies that meet these demands and enhance reproductive performance. Current models, such as the NRC (2012) gestating sow model, assume a constant proportional protein and amino acid content in tissues throughout pregnancy. However, empirical data suggest that gestational tissue growth and composition change dynamically. In this study, we developed a gestation model that characterizes the dynamic changes in growth, crude protein, and amino acid deposition throughout gestation. Based on a systematized search of published data, mathematical functions were developed to estimate daily protein and amino acid deposition in key tissues, including allantoic and amniotic fluid, uterus, placenta, fetus, mammary gland, and maternal body. Our results suggest that dietary crude protein levels and amino acid profiles should be adjusted to meet metabolic demands, particularly in early gestation, where a potential nutritional deficiency was identified. Additionally, the amino acid profile of deposited protein shifts during late gestation, suggesting a changing demand for specific amino acids. These findings challenge existing models and highlight the need for adaptive dietary strategies that better align with pregnancy’s biological demands. By refining protein and amino acid deposition estimates, this study provides a framework guiding future research on precision feeding, ultimately improving gilt and sow reproductive performance.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2126gestation modelprotein depositionamino acid requirementsswine nutritionreproductive performancedietary optimization
spellingShingle Christian D. Ramirez-Camba
Pedro E. Urriola
Crystal L. Levesque
Characterizing the Dynamic Protein and Amino Acid Deposition in Tissues of Pregnant Gilts: Implications for Stage-Specific Nutritional Strategies
Animals
gestation model
protein deposition
amino acid requirements
swine nutrition
reproductive performance
dietary optimization
title Characterizing the Dynamic Protein and Amino Acid Deposition in Tissues of Pregnant Gilts: Implications for Stage-Specific Nutritional Strategies
title_full Characterizing the Dynamic Protein and Amino Acid Deposition in Tissues of Pregnant Gilts: Implications for Stage-Specific Nutritional Strategies
title_fullStr Characterizing the Dynamic Protein and Amino Acid Deposition in Tissues of Pregnant Gilts: Implications for Stage-Specific Nutritional Strategies
title_full_unstemmed Characterizing the Dynamic Protein and Amino Acid Deposition in Tissues of Pregnant Gilts: Implications for Stage-Specific Nutritional Strategies
title_short Characterizing the Dynamic Protein and Amino Acid Deposition in Tissues of Pregnant Gilts: Implications for Stage-Specific Nutritional Strategies
title_sort characterizing the dynamic protein and amino acid deposition in tissues of pregnant gilts implications for stage specific nutritional strategies
topic gestation model
protein deposition
amino acid requirements
swine nutrition
reproductive performance
dietary optimization
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2126
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AT pedroeurriola characterizingthedynamicproteinandaminoaciddepositionintissuesofpregnantgiltsimplicationsforstagespecificnutritionalstrategies
AT crystalllevesque characterizingthedynamicproteinandaminoaciddepositionintissuesofpregnantgiltsimplicationsforstagespecificnutritionalstrategies