Histopathological and Biochemical Effects of Feeding Excess Dietary Methionine to Broiler Chicks

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Abstract
Experiments (3) were conducted to determine the histological and biochemical effects of toxic levels of dietary DL-Met on broiler chicks fed an isolated soy-protein/cornstarch-purified diet containing 20% protein 0.59% Met and 3304 kcal of metabolizable energy/kg. An appropriate level of supplementary DL-Met to use in toxicity studies was 1.5%. It significantly depressed (P < 0.01) gain in body weight, hematocrit and Hb concentration, increased (P < 0.05) Fe level in liver and spleen, caused pancreatic damage and induced neurological changes. Unlike retarded growth and increased Fe levels in spleen and liver, the fall in hematocrit and Hb values was independent of the reduction in feed intake caused by excess dietary Met.