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Conversion of the Methionine Hydroxy Analogue DL-2-Hydroxy-(4-Methylthio) Butanoic Acid to Sulfur-Containing Amino Acids in the Chicken Small Intestine¹

R. Martín-Venegas^*, P. A. Geraert and R. Ferrer^*,2

^* Departament de Fisiologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Spain; and Adisseo France S.A.S., 92160-Antony, France

² Corresponding author: rutferrer{at}ub.edu

DL-Methionine or its corresponding hydroxy analogue, DL-2-hydroxy-(4-methylthio) butanoic acid (DLHMB), are commonly added to commercial animal diets to satisfy the TSAA requirement. The utilization of DLHMB as a supplementary source of Met begins with its conversion to L-Met via a 2-step mediated process. L-Methionine can then be transsulfurated to L-Cys, which, in turn, can be catabolized to taurine (TAU). In the present study, the capacity of the chicken small intestine to convert DLHMB to L-Met and to use this amino acid as a source for L-Cys and TAU production was evaluated. The appearance of Met in the serosal compartment of everted sacs incubated with DLHMB is higher in the presence of an H⁺ gradient (mucosal pH 5.5 vs. 7.4). Serosal Cys and TAU concentration was compared in everted sacs incubated at a mucosal pH of 5.5 with DLHMB or L-Met, and the results show significantly higher values after incubation with the hydroxy analogue. Regional comparisons indicate no significant differences in the appearance of serosal Met and Cys, although lower values were obtained for TAU in the duodenum than in the jejunum and ileum. The profile of non-S amino acids was also determined and revealed no significant differences between DLHMB- and L-Met-incubated sacs. In conclusion, Cys and TAU content in chicken enterocytes is higher when DLHMB is used as a Met source.

Key Words: DL-2-hydroxy-(4-methylthio) butanoic acid • methionine hydroxy analogue • cysteine • taurine • chicken small intestine

¹ The present study was supported by project 3891 from the Fundació Bosch i Gimpera and Adisseo France S.A.S. and by grant 2005-SGR-0632 from the Generalitat de Catalunya. R. Martín-Venegas holds a Recerca i Docència fellowship from the Universitat de Barcelona.

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