Two experiments were conducted to evaluate dietary levels of crude protein (CP) and digestible lysine (LYSD) on the performance and nitrogen (N) excretion of piglets in the initial phase. In experiment 1, 80 barrows and females (initial weight of the 9.1 kg ± 1.2 kg and final weight of the 21.5 ± 4.8 kg), crossbred (Landrace x Large White), were distributed to a randomized blocks in factorial scheme 2 x 4 (two levels of CP 16 and 18% - and four levels of LYSD (0.7; 0.9; 1.1 and 1.3%) with five replications and two animals per experimental unit, during 35 days. The average daily weight gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed:gain ratio (F:G) were evaluated. In experiment 2, 32 barrows (25.0 ± 1.3 kg), from experiment I, were individually allotted in metabolic cages (experimental unit), during 11 days, to evaluate the ingested N, N in feces and N in urine . The diets were formulated with corn, soybean meal and modified powder milk, supplemented with vitamins and minerals. The amino acids methionine and threonine were corrected in function of the lysine levels, following the ideal protein concept. No interaction LYSD x CP was observed for neither studied variable. Average daily gain and F:G showed a quadratic effect for the LYSD levels and were better in the animals fed diets with levels of 1.04 and 1.09%, respectively. The levels of N in the fezes showed crescent linear effect with the LYSD and CP levels, while the N levels in the urine showed quadratic effect with LYSD levels, with lower excretion for the level of 1.03% in the ration. No influence was observed for LYSD and CP level on ADFI and N in fezes. The level of 1.05% LYSD in diets with 16 and 18% CP provide best performance and lower excretion of de N in dejects of the swine.
amino acids; ideal protein; nutrition; swine
