The effect of infusing dipeptides or their amino acids on mohair growth of Angora goats was investigated using a skin perfusion technique. Seven Angora wethers (average BW 24 +/- 2.5 kg) were implanted bilaterally with silicon catheters into the superficial branches of the deep circumflex iliac artery and vein and carotid artery. The experiment consisted of three 28-d phases. In the first 14 d of Phases 1 and 3, saline was infused into deep circumflex iliac arteries supplying skin and in Phase 2 a mixture of dipeptides (methionine-leucine [Met-Leu], lysine-leucine [Lys-Leu]) was infused into the artery on one side, and free amino acids were administered on the other side. Infusion rates of peptides were 0.85 mg/h Met-Leu and 0.85 mg/h Lys-Leu in 2.4 mL saline. Infusion rates of amino acids were 0.474 mg/h Lys, 0.483 mg/h Met, and 0.743 mg/h Leu in 2.4 mL saline. A 100-cm2 area within the perfused region was used to determine mohair growth. Two weeks after the cessation of infusions, perfused areas were shorn. Clean mohair production from the dipeptide- and amino acids-perfused regions were similar (4.21 vs 4.35 g/[100 cm2 +/- 28 d], respectively; P > 0.05). However, clean mohair production during dipeptides and amino acids infusions was greater (P < 0.01) than that observed during saline infusions (3.63 g/[100 cm2 +/- 28 d]). There were no significant differences between dipeptides and free amino acids in concentrations of various hormones and metabolites in blood from deep circumflex iliac veins (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the studied small dipeptides and amino acids similarly increased mohair fiber growth, presumably through supplying limiting amino acids directly to the fiber follicle.
Amino Acids Animals