AUTHOR=Asiriwardhana Mahesha , Bertolo Robert F. 

TITLE=Guanidinoacetic acid supplementation: A narrative review of its metabolism and effects in swine and poultry

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Animal Science

VOLUME=Volume 3 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/animal-science/articles/10.3389/fanim.2022.972868

DOI=10.3389/fanim.2022.972868

ISSN=2673-6225

ABSTRACT=Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) is an amino acid derivative and precursor for creatine which plays a
15 significant role in energy metabolism. However, because of creatine's instability during the
16 manufacturing process and cost, GAA has been explored as an effective alternative to creatine
17 supplements. GAA has been tested as a potential feed additive to enhance energy utilization
18 and growth performance in the poultry and swine industries. Moreover, GAA has been
19 combined with methionine to improve growth outcomes and may also act as an arginine20 sparing agent in birds. The safety of the GAA supplements for animals, consumers, and the
21 environment and its efficacy in numerous livestock species have been proven. This narrative
22 review discusses the scientific evidence regarding the metabolism and effects of GAA
23 supplementation in swine and poultry, identifying the knowledge gaps and future directions for
24 further research on GAA supplementation. A systematic search of the literature identified
25 published research findings related to GAA supplementation in swine and poultry and their
26 findings are summarized in this narrative review to confirm the impacts of GAA
27 supplementation on growth performance, reproductive performance, and meat quality in swine
28 and poultry. Amongst its many demonstrated benefits, GAA is effective at improving body
29 creatine concentration, growth parameters, feed conversion ratio, and performance of animals.
30 Although GAA exerts many non-creatine roles, including the stimulation of insulin secretion,
31 neuromodulation, and vasodilation, further research may require in-depth elaboration.