Amino Acids

ResourcesLecture: 2009, Dr. Sylvia Kehoe, UW—River Falls

Textbook: The Veterinary Technician’s Pocket Partner, Marisa BauerResources

Walter J. TaylorAgricultural Educator and Co-FFA Advisor

Plymouth Comprehensive High School

www.consumer-supply.com

Learning Targets

• Name the amino acids needed by animals

• Describe the purposes of various amino acids on an animal’s body

Amino Acids• The list is for dogs and cats– Arginine– Histidine– Isolucine– Leucine– Lycine– Methionine– Phenylalenine– Threonin– Tryptohan– Valine– Taurine

Arginine

• Purpose:– Needed to form metabolic hormones– Removal of waste nitrogen form proteins broken

down for energy

Hist id ine

• Purpose:– Vital to tissue growth– Important in the production of RBCs and WBCs– Important in muscle structure

– *kittens need more to prevent cataracts

Isoleucine

• Purpose:– Helps regulate metabolism– Required to optimize growth

– Branch chained with leucine and valine

Leucine

• Purpose:– Helps regulate metabolism– Required to optimize growth

– Branch chained with isoleucine and valine

Lycine

• Purpose:– Helps inhibit viruses– Needed for growth in young dogs and cats– Low levels can slow down protein synthesis,

affecting muscle and connective tissues

– Also needed by swine

Methionine

• Purpose:– Needed for growth– Removes poisonous waste from liver– Assists in the regeneration of liver and kidney tissue

– TOXICITY• Anorexia• Growth depression• Skin lesions

Phenylalanine

• Purpose:– Enhances learning, memory, and alertness– A major element in the production of collagen

– Important in the maintenance of:• Skin• Muscle• Hair tissue

Threonine

• Purpose:– Prevents fatty buildup in the liver– Important in growth and maintenance

– Another important component of collagen

Tryptophan

• Purpose:– Helps in body metabolism, growth, and maintenance

– Stimulates serotonin• Serotonin is a brain chemical that has a calming effect on

the body

Val ine

• Purpose:– Helps regulate metabolism– Required to optimize growth

– Branch chained leucine and isoleucine

Taurine

• Purpose:– Cats lack the enzyme for chemical reactions that

create taurine– Sources: red meat, poultry, fish– DEFICIENCY• Retinal damage• Reproductive abnormalities• Heart disease (most common)