title: Linking our understanding of mammary gland metabolism to amino acid nutrition.
abstract: Amino acids (AA) are not only building blocks of protein but are also key regulators of metabolic pathways in animals. Understanding the fate of AA is crucial to optimize utilization of AA for milk protein synthesis and, therefore, to reduce inefficiencies of nutrient utilization during lactation. By understanding the functional role of AA metabolism in mammary tissue, we can uncover pathways and molecular targets to improve AA utilization by mothers and neonates during the lactation period. The major objective of this article is to highlight recent advances in mammary AA transport, metabolism and utilization. Such knowledge will aid in refining dietary requirements of AA for lactating mammals, including women, sows and cows.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA, manjarin@bcm.edu.
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Manjarin
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Bequette
authors.forename: Guoyao
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Nathalie L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Trottier
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D002417:Cattle; D004032:Diet; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology*; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000378:metabolism; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D008892:Milk / Q000378:metabolism*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D004044:Dietary Proteins