Cysteamine (CS; mercaptoethylamine, HS–CH2–CH2–NH2) is biologically derived from cysteine metabolism. It can be used as a feed additive in animal production to stimulate the endocrine system and improve the growth rate of fish, piglets, and finishing pigs. Thus, CS can be a viable alternative in promoting the growth rate of pigs. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the growth promotion effect of dietary CS supplementation in finishing pigs and measure protein turnover in finishing pigs. It was found that the average daily gain and feed intake by CS supplementation
were increased by 19.5% and 15.4%, respectively. However, body weight and feed efficiency were not affected. The nitrogen balance trial indicated that nitrogen retention, nitrogen retention efficiency, and efficiency of digestible N utilization were increased to 62.8%, 54.6%, and 50.6% in CS supplementation group. Nitrogen intake, nitrogen
in feces and urine, and apparent nitrogen digestibility were not affected. CS supplementation affected
the whole-body protein turnover and resulted in a decreased protein breakdown rate (1.61 vs. 1.18 g N/kg W 0.75/d). Net protein gain in nitrogen was increased by 63.5%, however, protein synthesis rate, nitrogen flux, and endogenous urinary nitrogen were not affected. Therefore, dietary CS supplementation may improve growth performance
in finishing pigs.

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