October 2, 2014
New trial confirms DL-Methionine and DLHydroxy-Methionine as equivalent methionine sources for broilers
The Schothorst Feed Research Institute, in the Netherlands, has just achieved a trial comparing the two main sources of methionine, DL-Methionine (DLM) and DLHydroxy-Methionine (HMTBA).
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Table 1: Global effects of Methionine sources on broiler performance (d 0-28) | |||
|
Product |
BWG, g/bird |
Feed Intake, g/bird |
Feed conversion |
|
DLM |
1 557 |
2 146 |
1.378 |
|
HMTBA |
1 560 |
2 148 |
1.377 |
|
P |
0.809 |
0.929 |
0.861 |
The calculation of methionine efficiency giving the mg of methionine needed to gain one gram of body weight showed that HMTBA had a similar efficacy compared with DLM at low methionine levels, but a higher efficacy at high levels in the grower phase and in the overall period (0-28 days) (Figure 1). Taking DLM efficacy as the reference, the biological value of HMTBA in the grower phase ranged from 98.6% (-10% methionine than usual) to 102.8% (10% methionine than usual).
This trial provides evidence that both HMTBA and DLM, when supplemented on an equimolar basis and at practical Total Sulfur Amino Acids levels, are equally effective in improving performances of broilers up to 28 days.
It confirms the results of two recent trials achieved in Bangkok Animal Research Center (BARC) in Thailand. The first one, ran on Ross 308 broilers up to 35 days, proved that both methionine sources could sustain similarly body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion over the entire period, whatever the amino acid recommendation profile used (Lemme et al., 2010 or Adisseo's Rhodimet Nutrition Guide, 2013).
The second one compared the two methionine sources in diets with different nutrient densities, using the same amino acid/energy ratio. As expected, the nutritional specifications significantly affected broilers performances but no differences were observed between DLM and HMTBA on bird performances, irrespective of the nutrient density.
Together, these three trials confirm that when used in practical diets even in different situations, DLM and HMTBA are equivalent methionine sources from a biological point of view. These trials and other scientific results on absorption and conversion answer and close the question which has been debated around the world for nearly three decades.
