Effects of feed grade L-methionine on intestinal redox status, intestinal development, and growth performance of young chickens compared with conventional DL-methionine

• Published in: Journal of animal science Vol. 93; no. 6; pp. 2977 - 2986
• Main Authors: Shen, Y B, Ferket, P, Park, I, Malheiros, R D, Kim, S W
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Oxford University Press 01-06-2015
• Subjects: Animal Feed - analysis; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena - drug effects; Animal sciences; Animals; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Biological Availability; Chickens - growth & development; Diet - veterinary; Dietary Supplements; Duodenum - drug effects; Female; Glutathione; Intestines - drug effects; Male; Methionine - chemistry; Methionine - pharmacology; Oxidation-Reduction; Physical growth; Poultry
• ISSN: 0021-8812; 1525-3163
• DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-8898

This study was conducted to test the effects of supplemental L-Met on redox status, gut development, and growth performance of young broiler chickens compared with DL-Met. A total of 888 (half male and half female) 1-d-old Ross 308 chickens were weighed and randomly allotted to 7 treatments in a randomized complete block design for 21 d, including a basal diet (BD), the BD + 0.095% L-Met or DL-Met, the BD + 0.190% L-Met or DL-Met, and the BD + 0.285% L-Met or DL-Met (representing 60, 70, 80, and 90% of the Met + Cys requirement). Feed disappearance and BW were recorded every 7 d. Liver and duodenum samples were collected on d 0, 7, and 21 to measure redox status and intestine morphology. On d 7, chicks fed a diet supplemented with either 0.285% L-Met or 0.285% DL-Met had increased (P < 0.05) concentrations of glutathione (GSH) and reduced (P < 0.05) protein carbonyl (PC) and malonedialdehyde contents in duodenum mucosa compared with chicks fed the BD. Chicks fed a diet supplemented with 0.285% L-Met had greater (P < 0.05) villus width compared with chicks fed a diet supplemented with 0.285% DL-Met. Chicks fed a diet supplemented with 0.285% L-Met had lower (P < 0.05) crypt depth and greater (P < 0.05) villus height:crypt depth ratio compared with chicks fed a diet supplemented with 0.285% DL-Met or the BD. On d 21, chicks fed a diet supplemented with 0.285% L-Met had increased (P < 0.01) concentrations of GSH and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) but reduced (P < 0.05) PC content in duodenum mucosa compared with chicks fed a diet supplemented with 0.285% DL-Met and the BD. Chicks fed a diet supplemented with 0.285% L-Met had greater (P < 0.05) villus height compared with chicks fed the BD. During the entire 21-d supplementation of either L-Met or DL-Met, ADG and G:F were enhanced (P < 0.01) compared with chicks fed the BD. Chicks fed diets supplemented with L-Met had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F than chicks fed diets supplemented with DL-Met. The relative bioavailability of L-Met to DL-Met for ADG and G:F was 138.2 and 140.7%, respectively. Overall, supplementation of either L-Met or DL-Met has beneficial effects on villus development in association with increased GSH production and levels of TAC and reduced protein oxidation in duodenum. Supplementation of L-Met served a better function on redox status and development of the gut of chicks compared with DL-Met. Chicks fed diets with L-Met had better growth response than chicks fed diets with DL-Met.