The Effect of Methionine Deficiency on Nitrogen Absorption from the Intestinal Tract of Chickens

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Abstract
Protein absorption was determined in various levels of the digestive tract of chicks on adequate and methionine-deficient diets using the chromic oxide indicator method. No digestion or absorption was detected in the crop. The nitrogen concentration of gizzard contents was less than that of the feed suggesting digestion due to the presence of enzymes secreted by the proventriculus, solubilization, and selective movement of fluid from the gizzard. There was marked secretion of nitrogenous compounds, presumably largely enzymes, into the duodenal loop, thus obscuring any possible absorption of protein in this region. Nitrogen absorption was evident throughout the entire length of the small intestine below the duodenal loop with the portion just below the duodenum being most active. Methionine-deficient chicks are fully able to digest and absorb the protein in the limited amount of diet consumed.