Corn is a popular feed for pigs because it is high in carbohydrates. However, it has a very low level of the amino acid lysine, so farmers usually add high-lysine feeds to the corn. Which statement BEST explains why lysine levels in pig feed are important?

Lysine is important because it is very essential for the body functions of a pig.

Explanation:

Pigs require high levels of lysine, an amino acid. Without enough of this, muscle proteins cannot be formed because amino acids cannot combine correctly. Lysine is essential for body function. Corn diets can only provide pigs with limited lysine and this is not up to what is needed in a pigs nutrition. If the pig is consuming enough lysine then it can use other essential amino acids.

The first limiting essential amino acid in most swine rations is lysine.

Explanation:

A limiting factor can be simply define as a variable of a ration (we are talking of feed) that if there is a slight change in its volume or concentration will lead to a change in output.

Swine by standard requires ten (10) essential amino acids but the major limiting essential amino acid needed are lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan. If these amino acids requirements are met, other amino acids will be sorted out.

Lysine level in pig feed is very important because it is the first limiting essential amino acid. When the diet of a pig is formulated on the basis of lysine content, this usually leads to adequate levels of the remaining essential amino acid required.