US EPA

4843607 

Journal Article 

Influence of dietary excess methionine on the relationship between dietary copper and the concentration of copper and iron in organs of broiler chicks 

Ekperigin, HE; Vohra, P 

1981 

Yes 

Journal of Nutrition
ISSN: 0022-3166
EISSN: 1541-6100 

111 

9 

1630-1640 

HEEP COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. Experiments were conducted to study the nature of the relationship between Met, Cu and Fe. Day-old broiler chicks were adapted to an isolated soyprotein-cornstarch diet containing 20% protein, 3300 kcal metabolizable energy (ME)/kg, normal levels of minerals and 0.59% Met (methionine). They were then fed the basal diet, alone or supplemented with 1.5% DL-Met, 2000 ppm Mo, 4000 ppm Mo, or 100, 250, 500 or 1000 ppm Cu for 1 or 3 wk. In contrast to 1.5% excess Met, excess Mo increased plasma Cu concentrations significantly, had no effect on spleen or liver Fe and did not induce neurological changes. Dietary Cu or Met significantly influenced body weight gain and the concentrations of Cu in plasmas or livers. Supplements of 1.5% DL-Met, 500 or 1000 ppm Cu retarded body weight. A direct relationship between dietary Cu and the concentration of Cu in livers or plasmas was demonstrated in chicks fed the basal diet or the basal diet supplemented 1.5% DL-Met. Chicks fed excess Met had lower levels of Cu in plasma and liver at every level of excess dietary Cu. Liver and spleen Fe concentrations were increased by 1.5% excess DL-Met but were not significantly altered by supplementary Cu.