Methionine-cystine interrelationships in chicks and rats fed diets containing suboptimal levels of methionine

Studies were continued with both chicks and rats on the previously reported (featherston and Rogler, 1978) growth depression observed when a crystalline amino acid diet adequate in all nonsulfur-containing amino acids and containing .2% DL-methionine and .2% L-cystine was supplemented with an additional .2% L-cystine. In the present investigation, an average growth depression of 37% was observed in chicks fed a diet containing .4% L-cystine and .2% DL-methionine as compared with chicks fed a diet containing .2% L-cystine and the same level of methionine. A comparable depression was noted when cystine was replaced by L-cysteine. In contrast, an additional .2% of another amino acid (L-tryptophan) did not depress growth. When the high and low cystine diets were meal-fed, results obtained were similar to those observed with ad libitum feeding, but the magnitude of the difference was reduced. Foot-pad lesions, similar to those described in turkey poults fed methionine-deficient diets, were observed in two experiments. Factorial analysis of plasma amino acids indicated that the total of all amino acids analyzed was significantly (P < .05) higher in chicks fed the lower cystine or cysteine diets. Plasma methionine was slightly lower (P < .10) but plasma cystine was significantly (P < .05) higher in chicks fed the cystine or cysteine supplemented diets. A study with .2 and .4% L-cystine and 200, 600, and 2000 mg/kg of choline (factorial design) demonstrated a significant (P < .05) depression in weight gain due to the added L-cystine, no significant (P < .05) differences due to choline, and the absence of a cystine-choline interaction. No detrimental effects were observed when weanling rats were fed a crystalline amino acid diet containing .1% DL-methionine and .2% L-cystine supplemented with additional L-cystine.