title: Physiological roles of tryptophan in pig nutrition.
abstract: Tryptophan (TRP) is shown to play original roles in the physiology of pigs. Dietary TRP deficiency induces depression of the appetite leading to reduced growth performance. Brain hydroxy-indoles, including the neurotransmitter serotonin, are closely related to dietary TRP supply. Excess protein, namely large neutral amino acids (LNAA) enhanced the appetite depression, providing some support to a role for plasma TRP:LNAA in the regulation of protein intake through serotonin. Other implications of TRP, as a precursor for serotonin, in the susceptibility of pigs to stress and in their consequences on meat quality were reported. Furthermore, we concluded to a role for TRP in the insulin response to the meal and in tissue sensitivity to insulin. Implications in pig feeding practice are briefly reviewed.
authors.affiliation: INRA Station de Recherches Porcines F35590 St-Gilles, France. seve@st-gilles.rennes.inra.fr
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sève
mesh_terms: D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet; D007328:Insulin / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D013552:Swine; D013912:Threonine / Q000494:pharmacology; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000172:deficiency / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D013912:Threonine; D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan