MODELING PROTEIN-SYNTHESIS AND DEPOSITION DURING SWINE GROWTH

An equation describing protein synthesis as a function of energy and p rotein intake was developed for a simplified model of swine growth. Th e equation (rectangular hyperbola) contained four fundamental paramete rs that had physiological and nutritional significance. The four funda mental parameters were the energy available for protein synthesis, pro tein available, the minimum energy required to synthesize one kilogram of protein (7.3 MJ/kg) and the efficiency of protein utilization. In a series of calibration runs an expression was developed to describe t he efficiency of protein utilization as a function of body weight, ene rgy and protein supply, and the maximum possible rate of protein depos ition. The proposed model provided realistic predictions of protein an d fat deposition under a wide variety of conditions.