Hematologic Manifestations of Lysine Deficiency in Swine

Summary1. Twenty-three swine were fed a diet deficient in lysine. In addition, 5 swine were given hexahomoserine (6-hydroxy-DL-norleucine), a lysine antagonist. 2. All animals developed a normocytic, normochromic anemia, which was accompanied by hypoalbuminemia and hypocupremia. No alterations from the normal were noted in the plasma iron concentration or in bone marrow morphology. The anemia responded rapidly to administration of lysine. 3. The data presented indicate that lysine is essential for normal erythropoiesis in swine.