Production and Reproduction of Primiparous Guinea Pigs Concerning Lysine Levels

Abstract

The development of breeding animals is essential to ensure the productivity of guinea pigs, so an adequate supply of nutrients is required. However, information on their nutritional requirements is limited, particularly with regard to amino acids such as lysine, wich affects their productive performance. We evaluated the effects of dietary lysine levels (0.84, 1.01, 1.18, and 1.34%) on prim parous guinea pigs and their progeny. We used a total of 60 female guinea pigs at 976±17.95 g. A randomized block design analysis was performed with four dietary treatments (lysine levels) and 15 repetitions/treatments. The results revealed that fertility showed a negative trend with the increase in lysine, the birth rate was highest (82%) with 1.18% lysine than others. The guinea pigs that received1. 18% lysine had young with the highest birth weight (206±4.4 g/Guinea pig; p<0.01), and weight gain at weaning (197.7±8.9 g/guinea pig; p<0.01), but litter size was not influenced by lysine levels. Young mortality at weaning was high (18.2%) with a 1.34% lysine. The body weight of the breeders (gestation and lactation) was greater with 0.84 to 1.18% lysine (p<0.01), but there was a reduction with the 1.34% lysine level. A significant (p<0.01) reduction in feed intake was observed with 1.34%lysine during gestation, lactation, and weaning. The use of a level of 1.18%lysine in the diets of prim parous guinea pigs should be considered to improve the performance of females and the growth of their progeny.