Impact of somatotropins on nutrient requirements in domestic animals

Somatotropins increase nitrogen retention, decrease carcass fat and increase lean/fat ratio in growing ruminants and swine. However, responses are much more variable in growing ruminants. Maintenance requirements in both ruminants and swine are increased slightly with somatotropin treatment in conjunction with increased lean mass. This is associated with increases in partial efficiency of protein accretion, resulting in increased efficiency of growth. Additional information is required to accurately assess effects of somatotropin on nutrient requirements for growing ruminants and swine. Future studies should target degradable and nondegradable protein requirements for growing ruminants and the impact of somatotropin on these requirements; definition of dose, pattern and formulation of somatotropin for both ruminants and swine and interaction of somatotropin with other factors affecting feed intake in swine and ruminants.