Abstract: Delta-Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA) which is the precursor of is synthesized by the condensation of glycine and succinyl-CoA with ALA synthetase as a coenzyme. This reaction is a mandatory step in heme synthesis and is rate-determining for the pathway. After several intermediate reactions, ALA is transformed into protoporphyrin IX. Subsequently, an iron atom is inserted into the porphyrin ring of protoporphyrin IX with the help of ferrochelatase forming heme. According to this reaction mechanism, supplementation of ALA in livestock can affect heme synthesis, positively influence the iron contentor hemoglobin status of animals. By increasing iron transfer efficiency from sow to piglets, through elevated milk iron concentrations immune system response could improve during inflammatory challenge.
J.H. Cho and I.H. Kim, 2011. δ-Aminolevulinic Acid (ALA) as a Potential Feed Additive in Pig: A Review. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10: 1627-1631.