Effects of dl-methionine hydroxyanalogue (MHA) or dl-methionine ( dl-Met) on N-retention in broiler chickens and pigs

Abstract

Methionine hydroxyanalogue (MHA) was evaluated for metabolic equivalence compared to dl-methionine in practical diets for broiler chickens and pigs. Diets calculated to be deficient in methionine, 2.1 and 1.9 g kg −1 in diets for chicks and pigs, respectively, were supplemented with MHA 1 Alimet ® a registered trademark of Monsanto Inc. 1 or with molar equivalents of dl-methionine from suboptimal to optimal methionine feeding level. A polynomial regression model was used to describe N-retention in response to the dl-methionine or dl-MHA supplemented diets. Both supplements showed equal effects on N-balances of chickens and pigs. N-retention (as proportion of N-intake) was 0.56 and 0.54 in chickens and 0.51 and 0.54 in pigs for dl-Met and dl-MHA, respectively.