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

Abstract

Sixteen male red deer (Cervus elaphus), with an initial weight of 93.83 ± 4.38 kg were used to study the effect of the dietary level of ruminally protected methionine (RPM) on growth, antler morphometry and serum metabolites. The deer were allowed to graze and were individually supplemented with concentrate to provide 0, 2.5, 3.5 or 4.5 g/day of RPM for 65 days. There was a quadratic effect on daily weight gain (0.163, 0.098, 0.147 and 0.172 kg/day; P < 0.005) and antler beam length (59.7, 63.6, 63.0 and 57.2 cm; P < 0.02) for RPM levels of 0 to 4.5 g/day, respectively. The brow tine length and the number of points were similar across all treatments. Serum glutamic pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) was reduced (quadratic effect; P < 0.02; 22.0, 29.6, 18.0 and 17.8 IU/l) to RPM levels of 0 to 4.5 g/day, respectively, whereas other metabolites (glucose, cholesterol, urea, creatinine, total protein and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT]) were unchanged. Increasing the RPM dose did not affect weight gain or antler growth. Methionine supplementation reduced the activity of SGPT.

Effects of Immunocastration and Amino Acid Supplementation on Yearling Fallow Deer (Dama dama) Testes Development

“…A comprehensive review [ 18 ] focusing on the supplementation of amino acids in cervids (and other ruminants) summarizes the roles of the first limiting amino acid, lysine (Lys), and methionine (Met) in the improvement of growth rates and body and reproductive development (sperm quality as well as fertility) of ruminants. For example, previous studies have shown that the supplementation of various deer species with different rumen-protected amino acids increases body weight gains [ 19 , 20 ], improves the meat yield of high-value cuts, and decreases internal fat deposition in fallow deer used for venison [ 21 ]. In breeding animals, rumen-protected amino acids have been shown to improve the sperm mass activity, motility, concentration, and membrane integrity of rams [ 22 ].…”