2. Amino Acids
Amino acids are the basic building blocks of proteins and polypeptides that form the major component
of:
• Animals’ muscles and tissues.
• Fluids such as milk.
• Important biochemical and metabolic processes in the cells of animals.
So, from growth to production and reproduction, amino acids play a large part in the health and
productivity of large animals like cows and horses and can contribute significantly to the profitability of a
dairy farm or stud farm.
3. Liebig’s Law of Minimum
Liebig’s Law of Minimum, using Liebig’s barrel shows how protein chains are limited by the amino
acid in shortest supply.
In this analogy, any amount of protein cannot fill the
barrel because of the deficiency of the limiting amino
acids.
Here, Threonine, Methionine and Lysine are the most
limiting amino acids. So any amount of protein
supplementation cannot fulfil the requirement, unless
these three amino acids are provided in adequate
quantities.
4. First-limiting amino acid:
• The protein-producing potential of an animal is limited by the quantities of amino acids in its body.
• Since certain proteins require specific amino acids, if the body cannot synthesize enough of a single
amino acid or it is not supplied in adequate amount in the diet, it will not be able to produce certain
types of proteins required for certain processes.
The amino acid in shortest supply is referred to as the "first-limiting" amino acid in
the diet. The requirement for certain amino acids will vary depending on the species,
gender, diet and stage of life of the animal.
5. First-limiting amino acid:
• For example, lysine and methionine are typical first-limiting amino acids in dairy cows.
• Identifying this first-limiting amino acid is extremely important for production purposes since animals
cannot reach production levels of protein synthesis without sufficient quantities of first-limiting
amino acids;
• No matter how much lysine you feed a dairy cow, if methionine is the first-limiting amino acid, the
animal may not synthesize enough proteins to produce the desired quantities of milk.
For this reason, providing sufficient amounts of all essential amino acids
in the diets of production animals is paramount.
6. Problems Associated With Lack of Essential Amino Acids in Farm Animal Diets
When the diet of an animal is deficient in essential amino acids, the animal cannot
produce enough proteins to support certain metabolic functions.
• Low Body Weight
• Low immunity and
• Disease
Essential amino acids deficiency can result in reduced overall performance, affecting
profitability.
7. Benefits of Amino Acids for Animals (Ruminates)
• Better Feed Efficiency
• Healthy Growth Rate
• Improved Fertility
• Increased Production
• Reduced Incidence of Disease
8. Challenges with Feeding Amino Acids to Ruminates
• One of the biggest challenges with supplementing amino acids to ruminants (cows) is the rumen,
or first stomach.
• The rumen is the habitat to many microbes that ferment almost any feed or compound that is not
protected.
• So, amino acids fed to ruminants will be degraded by the rumen microbes, and hence not utilized.
Hence the solution is in intravenously supplementing highly bioavailable essential
amino acids which bypass the rumen and reach the systemic circulation directly.
9. Roles of amino acids in the synthesis of milk protein by mammary epithelial cells
• Amino acids are precursors of nucleic
acids and building blocks of protein in
mammary epithelial cells.
• In addition, certain amino acids can
potentially activate mTOR signaling (the
master regulator of mRNA translation) and
are substrates for the synthesis of
polyamines (substances that are essential
for DNA and protein syntheses).
• Additionally, leucine enhances overall
protein synthesis by serving as a precursor
for the synthesis of glutamate, glutamine,
aspartate, asparagine, and protein
10. • The breeding stallion has increased requirements for quality protein.
• The body proteins in horses are made of essential amino acids which are classified as being essential
for growth and reproduction.
• A 500kg stallion during the breeding season requires at least 789g of protein per day.
Amino Acids for improved performance of racehorses
11. A horse’s topline is mostly made out of muscle. Since the muscles along the withers, back, loin and
croup make up the horse’s topline, losses in this area can result in atrophy.
Strength of topline and loin muscles also influences soundness and athletic ability which are vital
for racehorses.
Amino Acids for improved topline of racehorses
12. A poor topline in a horse is due to diminished muscle mass and potentially due to insufficient good
quality protein in the diet.
• Amino acids are an essential part of a horse’s diet.
• Lysine, methionine and threonine are the first limiting amino acids in horses.
Hence, supplementation of all essential amino acids including lysine, methionine and
threonine is necessary to ensure a strong topline in racehorses.
Amino Acids for improved topline of racehorses
13. Importance of L-Arginine Supplementation in Horses
• Improved cardiovascular function and health
As a precursor to Nitric oxide (NO), L-Arginine contributes to vasodilation, contributing to
lowering of blood pressure, enhanced blood circulation and improved cardiac function.
• Enhance exercise capacity
- For synthesis of creatine, an essential energy source for muscle contraction.
- To decrease inflammation and enhance muscle regeneration.
- Thermoregulation.
• Strengthen immunity
To prevent infection and ensure good health
• Improve fertility and assist reproduction
Increases blood flow to the reproductive tract in mares before and after birth, and improves
the uterine environment post-foaling.
14. Parenteral Nutrition in Animals
• Parenteral nutrition is a valuable aid in supplying instant energy and nutrients to large animals like
cows and horses.
• Intravenous nutrition providing essential amino acids is particularly useful as these animals cannot
synthesize essential amino acids by themselves.
• Intravenous amino acids are particularly useful in race horses for ensuring a strong muscular body
and for enhancing exercise capacity.
• Intravenous amino acids are particularly useful in dairy farms for improving the health and milk
output of dairy cows.
• Intravenous amino acids to sick or undernourished animals helps to prevent body protein
catabolism and malnutrition and improve immunity.
15.
16. ASTYMIN-SN, 500ml provides:
Nitrogen 7.6 g
High Biological Value Protein 47.5g
Energy 337.5 calories
Advantages of ASTYMIN-SN in Dairy Cows
• Provides First Limiting Amino Acids Lysine and Methionine in cows, along with other essential
amino acids
• Supports synthesis of milk proteins in lactating cows
• Improves fertility
• Supports healthy growth, improves immunity
Indications:
Ensure healthy growth of dairy cows
To improve milk output
Sickness and convalescence
Dosage:
0.25g of Nitrogen/kg bodyweight per day
17. Advantages of ASTYMIN-SN in Stallions
• Provides First Limiting Amino Acids Threonine, Methionine and Lysine in Horses
• Provides Branched Chain Amino Acids Leucine, Isoleucine and Valine required for muscle protein
synthesis
• Provides Arginine for cardiovascular health of racehorses
• Improves topline of racehorses
• Enhances stamina and exercise capacity
• Improves fertility
• Supports healthy growth, improves immunity
Indications:
To improve performance of racehorses
Improve fertility and healthy growth of foals
Sick or convalescing horses
Dosage:
0.25g of Nitrogen/kg bodyweight per day
ASTYMIN-SN, 500ml provides:
Nitrogen 7.6 g
High Biological Value Protein 47.5g
Energy 337.5 calories
18. Each 20ml ampoule of Astymin-3 provides:
Nitrogen 0.262g
High Biological Value Protein 1.64g
Astymin-3 ampoule is useful for instant supplementation of essential amino acids which animals cannot
synthesize.
Astymin-3, 20ml can be added to the IV drip (Dextrose, DNS, Normal Saline, Ringer Lactate) to enhance the
nutritional value of the drip.
Indications:
For instant supplementation of essential amino acids whenever intravenous drip is administered.
Dosage:
2-3 ampoules to be added to the IV drip.
