This work evaluated levels of digestible lysine on performance and carcass composition of barrows with high genetic potential for meat deposition. It was used 80 animals with initial body weight of 95.55 ± 1.04 kg, distributed in a completely randomized block design, with 5 diets (0.540; 0.642; 0.744; 0.846 and 0.948% of digestible lysine), eight replicates and two animals per experimental unit. The experimental diets and water were provided ad libitum throughout the experimental period. Digestible lysine levels did not change daily feed intake and carcass weight of the animals. Daily weight gain and feed conversion improved in a quadratic way up to the estimated levels of 0.803 and 0.871% of digestible lysine, respectively. It was observed an increasing linear effect of the treatments on daily lysine intake and amount of meat. Although daily meat deposition had increased in a linear way, the LRP was the model that best adjusted to the data which remained on a plateau from 0.803% of digestible lysine level. The levels of digestible lysine influenced the P2 backfat thickness of the animals which decreased in a linear way. The digestible lysine level of 0.803%, corresponding to an intake of 24.60 g/day of digestible lysine provides the best results of weight gain and meat deposition whereas the level of 0.817% corresponding to an intake of 25.30 g/day of lysine provides the best result of feed conversion, and the digestible lysine level of 0.948% corresponding to an intake of 29.09 g/day of digestible lysine provides the best results of meat deposition and backfat thickness of barrows from 95 to 125 kg.
digestible amino acids; carcass; late finishing; performance
