Lysine supplementation of diets for yearling horses.
Abstract: Forty-six Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse yearlings were used in two experiments designed to determine the amount of lysine in the concentrate necessary to promote maximum growth when fed the Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) hay provided at 1% body weight (BW)/day. In the first experiment, a 196-day trial, supplemental protein sources and analyses of the concentrates compared were: (1) soybean meal (SBM; 15.4% crude protein, .70% lysine); (2) SBM + .2% lysine (15.7% crude protein, .81% lysine), and (3) brewers dried grains + .2% lysine (15.9% crude protein, .59% lysine). Concentrate intake averaged 1.67% BW/day, and hay intake averaged .94% BW, for a total of 2.61% BW/day. Protein and lysine intakes (grams/day) for horses fed the three diets were, respectively: (1) 1,106, 48; (2) 1,091, 52 and (3) 1,077 and 40. Growth and efficiency responses for animals on treatments 1, 2 and 3 were, respectively: weight gain - 125, 123 and 114 kg; height gain - 9.5, 9.3 and 8.1 cm; girth gain - 21.6, 19.0 and 17.0 cm (P greater than .05); length gain - 14.5, 13.7 and 14.9 cm. and feed/gain - 15.3, 15.0 and 16.0. In the second experiment, a 140-day trial, SBM-based concentrates provided (1) 16.1% crude protein and .67% lysine, (2) 13.6% crude protein and.51% lysine and (3) 14.2% crude protein and .64% lysine. Concentrate averaged 1.99% BW and hay intake averaged .92% BW, for a total of 2.91% BW/day. Protein and lysine intakes (grams/day) for horses fed the three diets were (1) 1,432, 59; (2) 1,195, 46; and (3) 1,182, 53. Growth and efficiency responses for animals given the three treatments were: weight gain - 101, 87 and 101 kg (P greater than .05); height gain - 5.7, 6.0 and 6.4 cm; girth gain - 14.8, 12.2 and 16.3 (P greater than .05); length gain - 10.9, 10.9 and 11.9 cm, and feed/gain - 16.5, 17.9 and 15.0 kg (P greater than .05). No significant sex effects were detected. Results suggest that at least 1.9 g lysine/Mcal digestible energy is required to support maximum growth of yearling horses.
Publication Date: 1981-12-01 PubMed ID: 6804430DOI: 10.2527/jas1982.5361496xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The study explores the impact of lysine supplementation on the growth of yearling horses. It suggests that a minimum of 1.9 grams of lysine per Megacalorie of digestible energy is required for maximum growth in these animals.
Research Methodology
- Two experiments were conducted using a total of forty-six yearlings of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse breeds. The horses were fed the Coastal bermudagrass hay, proportional to 1% of their body weight (BW) per day.
- In the first trial, which lasted 196 days, three different concentrate diets were examined: soybean meal (SBM), SBM with extra lysine, and brewers dried grains with additional lysine. The intake of these concentrates was around 1.67% of BW.
- In the second experiment, which was a 140-day trial, three different lysine-rich protein concentrates were provided, all based on SBM. The concentration of intake was set at 1.99% BW.
Primary Findings
- The lysine and protein intake for each diet was measured, and a correlation was established between the levels of lysine in the feed and the horses’ growth parameters such as weight gain, height gain, girth gain, length gain and feed/gain.
- Although some variations were reported in the growth results relating to the different diets, the differences did not fall within the statistically significant range (P > 0.05).
- The research did not find any significant differences in the effects of these diets based on the sex of the horses.
- The study specifically suggests that a lysine intake of at least 1.9 grams per Mcal digestible energy is likely necessary to support maximal growth in yearling horses.
Implications
- The study contributes important insights into the dietary needs of yearling horses, emphasizing the critical role played by lysine in promoting growth.
- Such information could be valuable in optimizing feeding regimes for young horses, potentially improving their growth rate and overall health.
Cite This Article
APA
Ott EA, Asquith RL, Feaster JP.
(1981).
Lysine supplementation of diets for yearling horses.
J Anim Sci, 53(6), 1496-1503.
https://doi.org/10.2527/jas1982.5361496x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed
- Animals
- Body Weight
- Dietary Proteins / administration & dosage
- Dietary Proteins / metabolism
- Female
- Horses / growth & development
- Horses / metabolism
- Lysine / administration & dosage
- Lysine / metabolism
- Male
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Mok CH, Urschel KL. Amino acid requirements in horses.. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 2020 May;33(5):679-695.
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