Methionine-responsive Liver Damage in Young Pigs Fed a Diet Low in Protein and Vitamin E

Abstract

A combined protein-vitamin E deficiency syndrome causing severe liver damage in the pig was studied by manipulating dietary levels of methionine, choline and selenium. Yorkshire pigs weaned at 3 weeks of age, weighing an average of 5 kg, were used in 4 experiments. During the 8-week experimental period the animals were fed a basal diet containing 3% isolated soy protein and 25% corn oil; it was marginal in vitamin E and selenium but adequate in all other nutrients. Consumption of this diet resulted in the development of liver necrosis which was most obvious histologically at weeks 2 and 4; at week 8 severe postnecrotic scarring of the liver predominated with little evidence of acute necrosis. The liver damage was completely preventable by supplementation with α-tocopherol, or selenium, or both. Choline supplementation aggravated the liver damage; however, methionine supplementation provided considerable, and in some cases, complete protection against necrosis and scarring but did not prevent the appearance of hyaline bodies in the hepatocytes. The methionine effect was not related to contamination of the supplemental methionine with selenium.