Blood metabolites and haematological indices of pregnant beef cows fed rumen-protected methionine

Abstract

The effect of rumen-protected DL-methionine on some blood biochemical and haematological values of cows in approximately the last 102 days of pregnancy was examined. Twenty-six cows in the third stage of gestation were divided into two groups of equal number, a control (C) and an experimental group (E). Cows were fed meadow hay, maize grain silage and a 500 g fodder mixture (35% CP). In addition to the fodder mixture, cows in group E received 15 g rumen-protected DLmethionine per animal daily (Mepron ® M85). Blood samples were collected on approximately days 102, 68, 34 and 1 prior to parturition.Plasma glucose concentrations of cows in group E were significantly decreased over a long part of the trial period (68 and 34 days prior to parturition) (P=0.046 and P=0.0175, respectively). Plasma urea concentration in group C was decreased close to statistical significance (P=0.053) on the 68 th day prior to parturition. No significant differences were found in plasma concentrations of total protein, albumin, triacylglycerols, total cholesterol and creatinine between the two groups during the trial.The activity of alanine aminotransferase in animals of group E was lower, close to statistical significance (P=0.052) 34 days prior to parturition. No significant differences were found in plasma of asparate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels between groups during experimental feeding. Cows in group E had a lower red blood cell count on the 5 Corresponding author: e-mail: bliker@agr.hr Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences, 14, 2005, 625-638 P=0.316 and P=0.153, respectively). On the 68 th day before calving the lower number of leukocytes was close to statistical significance (P=0.0785), with highly significant neutropenia in absolute (P<0.001) and relative (P=0.039) terms, and a decreased neutrophyles/lymphocytes ratio (P<0.001).The results indicate that rumen-protected methionine could have an anti-stress effect on cows during late gestation in winter stable feeding and holding conditions.

Blood metabolites and haematological indices of beef cattle fed rumen-protected methionine

“…Since the diet containing protected methionine did not affect body weight gain it can be assumed that methionine was not the limiting amino acid. No evident changes were found in metabolic and haematological indicators which would support the findings of a deficiency of methionine in group C, which was found to be possible in late pregnancy (Liker et al, 2005). Potentially, the protein source of protein-rich concentrates may have provided an adequate concentration of methionine in the duodenum without the need for amino acid supplementation.…”

“…Infusion of methionine, lysine and leucine to Angora goats decreased plasma cortisol concentrations (P<0.05) (Puchala et al, 1995). A deficit of methionine in beef cows in late pregnancy can cause the reaction manifested as increased secretion of glucocorticoids (Liker et al, 2005).…”

“…However, even a modest excess of DL-methionine has toxic effects (Abe et al, 2000). Blood metabolites and haematological indices of beef cows can be affected by feeding rumenprotected methionine during gestation (Liker et al, 2005).…”

Impact of adding dietary different levels of protected methionine on wool characteristics, ultrastructure, and blood components of Barki sheep

“…No significant differences were observed in serum ALT and AST activity of female blue foxes among methioninesupplemented groups (P>0.05) with different doses (2, 4, 6, and 8 g/kg) for 40 days (Guo et al, 2015). In this respect, Liker et al (2006) stated that when Charolais growing beef cattle (average BW:249.6±43.8kg) received 10 g of rumenprotected DL-methionine daily for 94 days, plasma urea concentration tended to decrease at the end of the trial. The activity of ALT in these animals increased on the 68 th and 94 th days.…”

Effect of ruminally protected methionine on body weight gain and growth of antlers in red deer (Cervus elaphus) in the humid tropics

“…Some grazing experiments with cattle have shown positive responses of the growth of steer to the dietary addition of RPM (Gomez et al 2011), whereas other studies have shown no effect (Liker et al 2006) at doses of 10 g/day. The reason that the intermediate dose decreased weight gain in this experiment is unclear, but the possibility that deer respond to higher doses than those used in this experiment should not be excluded.…”