The efficiency with which animals utilize each ingredient in the diet is related to the way by which information on nutrient composition and digestibility is used. Swine feed formulation based on crude protein may result in an imbalance of aminoacids, which in turn results in the deamination of aminoacids. Nitrogen may be used in the synthesis of new compounds or just excreted through urine, becoming a loss in efficiency and increasing pollution potential. Two studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of types of feed formulation in growing and finishing swine. Growing and finishing diets were: 1) Formulation based on crude protein and total aminoacids, according to NRC; 2) Total lysine (Lys) levels 15% above those of diet 1; 3) Protein levels similar to diet 2, but meeting the ideal protein level; 4) Similar to diet 3 with 15% more digestible Lys. Swine fed diets 2 and 4 showed higher daily weight gain. Backfat, longissimus dorsi area and lean tissue were not affected by treatments. Animals fed diets with higher protein levels showed higher fecal excretion. Animals fed diets with 15% more Lys (diets 2 and 4) showed lower fecal nitrogen excretion without any effect on the excretion of this element through urine.
nitrogen excretion; ideal protein; weight gain
