The effect of dietary methionine on ileal nutrient partitioning and amino acids transporters

Abstract

L-Methionine is an essential amino acid required for protein synthesis and normal growth of animals. It is also the first limiting amino acid in a typical com-soy poultry diet. Utilization of protein or amino acids is affected when deficient or excess levels of a limiting amino acid are supplied. Amino acids interact, and amino acid transporters maintain coordination and integrity of metabolic events. Since methionine is the first limiting amino acid in poultry diet, deficiency in or excess of dietary methionine has the potential to affect nutrient availability and molecular transport. The ileal digestibility of deficient, normal and excess dietary methionine, and the coordination between the molecular transport of methionine and other sulfur amino acids (cysteine and taurine) and lysine, the second limiting amino acid in poultry diet will be investigated. It is expected that when nutrient partitioning and amino acid transport mechanisms are deciphered, optimal diet formulation for improved nutrient availability and utilization efficiency, and nutrient absorption for maintenance, growth and reproduction can be achieved. (AU)