
DL-methionine as a feed additive has a significant impact on animal production performance. Within the animal body, dl-methionine can synthesize proteins and is rapidly converted into cysteine, meeting the growth needs of animals. When appropriately added to the feed of livestock and poultry, it can enhance feed conversion rates and the utilization of protein materials, thus increasing farming efficiency. For instance, adding it to layer hen feed in suitable amounts can effectively improve the production performance of hens, promote egg production, and enhance egg quality.
The levels of protein and amino acids in the diet influence the immune function of animals. Increasing the dietary content of dl-methionine raises the antibody titers, immunoglobulin levels, and lymphocyte transformation rates in the serum, and it also positively affects cellular immunity. This can facilitate the absorption of other nutrients in ruminants, improve resistance, and reduce mortality rates.
DL-methionine can improve the protein structure in feed, making it easier for animals to digest and absorb, which helps animals better utilize the nutritional components of the feed, leading to increased growth rates and muscle quality.
In the metabolic process, dl-methionine is beneficial for liver protection. If the intake of DL-methionine is too low, levels of urea and non-protein nitrogen in the blood can increase, leading to fat accumulation in the liver. DL-methionine can also bind with mycotoxins (such as aflatoxins) in feed, reducing their toxicity and thereby protecting animal health.
Overall, dl-methionine as a feed additive has multiple positive effects on animal production performance. However, in practical applications, attention must be paid to the dosage; excessive addition may lead to adverse reactions in animals. Therefore, the proportion of dl-methionine in feed should be reasonably adjusted based on factors such as the animal's species, growth stage, and performance objectives.