Interaction between supplementation of essential amino acids (lysine and methionine) and glutamate in the metabolism of nitrogenous compounds in calves milk-feeding conventional system

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the concentration of essential amino acids (lysine and methionine) considerede in the literature as ideal, according to the route of administratio (milk replacer MR or concentrate), and its association with glutamate supplementation to calves in two milk-feeding systems: conventional or programmed. In experiment 45 Holstein calves will be utilized in a randomized block design to assess the effects in programmed feeding system (4L/d to 2nd week; 8L/d from 3rd. to 6th. week; 4L/d from 6th to 8th week), the following treatments: 1) Control: no supplementation; 2) MR supplemented with Lysine (17g/d) and methionine (5.3 g/d) + 1% DM basis of product containing 10% of glutamate and glutamine, 3) MR supplemented with Lysine (17g/d) and methionine (5.3 g/d) + 0.6% DM basis of product containing 10% of glutamate and glutamine. The animals will be allocated to individual shelters, with free access to water and initial concentrate. Calves will be weighted and growth measurement taken. In weeks 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 of life blood samples will be taken for determination of metabolites as markers of animal protein status (albumin, total protein, urea-N).