Fig. 1

The effect of BCAAs and Arg supplementation on the Chao1, Shannon and InvSimpson index values of the sow faeces at the end of lactation. Chao1: BCAA, P = 0.085; Orthogonal contrast: CO vs. Additions, P < 0.0001; alone vs. mixed addition, P < 0.0001. Shannon: BCAA, P = 0.091; Orthogonal contrast: CO vs. Additions, P < 0.0001; alone vs. mixed addition, P < 0.0001. Diet: CO = the group fed a standard lactating sow diet; Arg = the group fed the standard lactating sow diet plus 22.5 g/d/sow of L-Arg; BCAA = the group fed the standard lactating sow diet plus L-Val, L-Ile and L-Leu at 9, 4.5 and 9 g/d/sow; BCAA + Arg = the group fed the standard lactating sow diet plus L-Val, L-Ile and L-Leu and L-Arg at 9, 4.5, 9 and 22.5 g/d/sow