Esearch on Muscle Protein Mobilization in Lactating Sows Based on the Tracer Kinetics of 3-[Methyl-³H₃] histidine
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/sn3vdr61Keywords:
Exponential Model, Non-linear Regression, Curve Peeling Method, Muscle Protein Breakdown.Abstract
This study investigated the effects of dietary protein levels on muscle protein breakdown (MPB) in lactating sows using 3-[methyl-²H₃]histidine (3MH) as an isotopic tracer. Objectives included the evaluation of candidate exponential models and a comparison between nonlinear regression and the traditional curve peeling method for analyzing 3MH dynamics. Eight sows were randomly assigned to a standard protein (SP; 18.0% CP) or a low-protein diet (LP; 14.0% CP + crystalline amino acids). Plasma 3MH kinetics were modeled using single-, two-, and three-exponential models. The three-exponential model (three-pool model) coupled with a nonlinear regression approach provided the most accurate characterization of 3MH dynamics. Model parameters derived from nonlinear regression and curve peeling were comparable, with the former being more objective and precise. ANOVA results indicated that the LP diet significantly increased MPB rates (P<0.05P<0.05), suggesting escalated mobilization of muscle reserves to sustain lactation. These findings highlight the trade-off between reduced dietary protein supply and increased maternal muscle catabolism, underscoring the necessity for precision diet formulation in lactating sows.
Downloads
References
[1] Davydova E, Shimazu T, Schuhmacher M K, et al. The methyltransferase METTL9 mediates pervasive 1-methylhistidine modification in mammalian proteomes[J]. Nature Communications, 2021, 12(1): 891-904.
[2] Hare K S, Wood K M, Fitzsimmons C, et al. Oversupplying metabolizable protein in late gestation for beef cattle: effects on postpartum ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites, skeletal muscle catabolism, colostrum composition, milk yield and composition, and calf growth performance[J]. Journal of Animal Science, 2022, 97(1): 437-455.
[3] Hasan M S, Crenshaw M A, Liao S F. Dietary lysine affects amino acid metabolism and growth performance, which may not involve the GH/IGF-1 axis, in young growing pigs[J]. Journal of Animal Science, 2020, 98(1): 1-13.
[4] Lunney J K, Van Goor A, Walker K E, et al. Importance of the pig as a human biomedical model[J]. Science Translational Medicine, 2021, 13(621): 1-14.
[5] Kochlik B, Stuetz W, Peres K, et al. Associations of Plasma 3-Methylhistidine with Frailty Status in French Cohorts of the FRAILOMIC Initiative[J]. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2019, 8(7): 1010-1022.
[6] Sobotka W, Drazbo A. The Effect of Dietary Protein Restriction in Phase Feeding Systems on Nitrogen Metabolism and Excretion in Pig Production[J]. Animals, 2025, 15(11): 1521-1535.
[7] Thomsen E M, Sonne A, Bertelsen M, et al. Fine-regulation of myosin relaxed states in vertebrate muscle[J]. The FASEB Journal, 2022, 36(1): 1-12.
[8] Tokach M D, Menegat M B, Gourley K M, et al. Review: Nutrient requirements of the modern high-producing lactating sow, with an emphasis on amino acid requirements[J]. Animal, 2019, 13(12): 2967-2977.
[9] Wolfe R R. Stable isotope tracers applied to measuring rates of protein synthesis and breakdown in muscle: principles and applications[J]. Journal of Biomolecular Techniques, 2021, 22(Suppl): S12-S16.
[10] Millet S, De Witte B, Amant S, et al. Low dietary protein content reduces the incidence of shoulder lesions in slaughter pigs and modifies the composition of the gut microbiota[J]. Animal, 2022, 16(8): 100567.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Highlights in Science, Engineering and Technology
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
