[Effect of varying amounts of methionine on chickens]

The effect of high methionine quantities on chickens was studied. The experiment was carried out with hundred 20-day old chicken-broilers, divided in four groups. A positive effect of 0.5% methionine added to the main ration was recorded. It resulted in 1109 g gain in weight as compared to 819,1 g for the control group. Two and three percent of methionine reduced the gain with 52.49 and 44.13% respectively. Toxic reactions were observed in II and III groups. Lethality in these groups reached 30 and 60% respectively. Haemoglobin content was considerably reduced, while blood sugar, carotene and vitamin A contents increased proportionally to the methionin quantities introduced in the ration. No significant changes in the values of serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and SGOT, SGPT activity before and after the experiment were established.