Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as building blocks of protein. There are over 700 amino acids found in nature but only 20 are used in protein synthesis. Amino acids are classified as essential, non-essential, and semi-essential depending on an animal's ability to synthesize them. Most amino acids exist in two isomeric forms (L and D) but only the L-form is used in protein synthesis. Imbalances or deficiencies in amino acids can negatively impact animal health and performance. Amino acids interact with each other and have many important functions including protein synthesis, gene expression, hormone production, nutrient metabolism, immune function, and more.

1. Amino Acids inChicken
Production
MuhammadArslan Musa
M.Sc.(Hons.) Poultry Science
arslan2062@gmail.com

2. Amino Acids (AA)
• Organic substances withaminoand acidgroups
• Buildingblocks of protein
• More than 700 aminoacidsoccur in nature
• Only 20 alphaamino acids (Protein AA) have role in protein synthesis

3. Amino Acid Classifications
•Essential AA (EAA)
- Dietary essential to supplement to birds
•Non-Essential AA (NEAA)
- Body can synthesize in sufficient quantities
•Semi Essential AA
- become essential under specific conditions

5. Isomerism in Amino Acids
• Allamino acids except glycine have L and D isomers
• L-configurationis required for protein synthesis
• D-AA is precursor of L-AA
• D-AA oxidases and transaminasesplay role in conversion of D-AA into L-AA
• Efficacy of D-AA is ranges 10-100% of L form
• D form of Lysine and Threoninecannot replace L-form

6. Amino acids and their analogues efficacy (percentage)
compared with that of L-isomer in Chicken

7. Amino Acids Imbalances
• Deleterious effectthatchange bird behavior
• It is due to lackof one or more limitingaminoacids in feed
• It increases amino acid catabolism
• Reducedfeed intake
• Excessive amountof AA can cause toxic effects(AA Toxicity)
• AA antagonisminvolves increase in requirementof one aminoacid due to excess of
other AA

8. Amino Acid Interaction
•Lysine and ArginineAntagonism
•Leucine,isoleucineand valine Interaction
•Lysine and Electrolytes
•Heat Stress and ArginineAbsorption

9. Ideal Amino Acids Ratio

10. Functions of Amino
Acids

11. General Functions
•Regulate Gene Expressions
•Activate Protein Synthesis
•Synthesis andSecretion of Hormones
•Rolein nutrient metabolism
•Rolein oxidative defense

12. • Required for proper immune functions
• Role in acidbase balance
• Body homeostasis
• Neurotransmission
• Tissueregenerationand remodeling
• Prevent excess fat deposition
• Role in reproduction

13. AA regulation
Of
Gene Expression

14. Activation
of
Protein Synthesis

15. Synthesis and Secretion of Hormones
•Tyrosine or Phenylalanineis precursor for the synthesis of
1. Epinephrine
2. Norepinephrine
3. Dopamine
4. Thyroidhormones
•Glutamineand leucineincrease insulinrelease

16. Role in nutrient metabolism
• Arginine is anallosteric activator of N-acetylglutamate synthasein mitochndria
• It converts glutamate and acetyl-CoAinto N-acetylglutamate
• During Fasting, Alanine regulating gluconeogenesis and glycolysis by inhibiting pyruvate kinase,
Glutamate and Aspartate regulate glycolysis and cellularredox state
• Methionine, glycine, serine,and histidine activelyparticipate in one-carbon metabolism

17. Role in oxidative defense
•Glutathione is major antioxidant which is formed from cysteine,
glutamate, and glycine
•Glutamine regulates expressionof genes inthe small intestine that
are related to oxidative defense
•Methionineis precursor of glutathione and carnitine

18. Amino Acids and Immune Functions
•Glutamine, arginine, methionine,and cysteine haverole in
enhancingtheimmune function
•Histidine improvesimmune responseof skin
•Threonine improvesimmunity of gut
•Lysine requiredfor properimmune function

19. Amino Acid Catabolism

20. Specific Functions of Amino
Acids

21. Methionine
•Role in protein synthesis
•Methyl donor in methylationreactions
•Role in oxidativedefense (asmethionine isprecursor of glutathioneand
carnitine)
•Role in synthesisof Cysteine, Cholineand Betaine
•Role in cell and nucleusdivision(as methioninerequired for polyamines
synthesis)
•Role in osmoregulation

22. Lysine
•Importantrole inprotein synthesis
•Regulate NOsynthesis
•Requiredfor proper immuneresponse
•Improvebreast meat yield
•OH-Lys has rolein collagen structure and function

23. Threonine
•Role in protein phosphorylation and glycine synthesis
•Improve immune function by improving antibody production
•Maintain integrity and immunity of intestine
•Inhibit apoptosis
•Improve feed conversion efficiency and weight gain

24. Tryptophan
• Regulate feed intake
• Anti-inflammatoryand anti-oxidantproperties
• Improve immune response andgrowth performance
• Role in reductionofliver fat
• Reduce stress
• Precursor of Niacin

25. Tyrosine
•Rolein protein and energy metabolism
•Regulate immuneresponse
•Rolein nerve transmission
•Skinpigmentation
•Antioxidantand anti-stressor properties

26. Arginine
•Antioxidant
•Improvemeat quality
•Regulate hormonesecretion
•Ammonia detoxification
•Deamination of proteins
•Improvemeat quality
•Reducestress

27. Histidine
• Protein methylation
• Hemoglobinstructure and function
• Allergicreaction
• Immune response of skin
• Vasodilator
• Gutfunctions

28. Leucine
•Regulate immuneresponse
•Geneexpression
•BCAA balance
•Glutamate dehydrogenaseactivator

29. Isoleucine andValine
•Synthesis of glutamine and alanine
•BCAA balance