Effect of a Low‐Lysine Diet Based on Newly Estimated Lysine Requirements on the Intramuscular Fat Content in the <i>Longissimus Dorsi</i> Muscle of Fattening Pigs

We have previously reported the new lysine requirements for fattening pigs raised in Japan. This study aimed to determine whether a low-lysine diet based on this newly estimated requirement could increase the intramuscular fat content in fattening pigs. Twenty-nine (Large White × Landrace) × Duroc crossbreeds, 14 weeks old and weighing 50 kg, were used in this experiment. The pigs were assigned to the control and low-lysine groups. The control pigs were fed a control diet, and the low-lysine pigs were fed a low-lysine diet for 2 months. As expected, the intramuscular fat content of the longissimus dorsi muscle was higher in the low-lysine group (p < 0.01). Therefore, we conclude that a low-lysine diet based on the newly estimated lysine requirement promotes intramuscular fat accumulation in the longissimus dorsi muscles of fattening pigs.