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Methionine, Choline and Sulfate Interrelationships in the Diet of Weanling Swine¹

University of Florida, Gainesville 32611

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to examine the interrelationships between methionine, choline and inorganic sulfate in the diet of weanling pigs, and to evaluate the selenium (Se) status of pigs fed diets with or without supplemental sulfate. Two trials utilized 288 weanling (3-wk-old) pigs allotted to dietary treatment based on weight, sex and litter origin. There were six pigs/pen and three replicate pens/treatment in each trial. The basal corn-soybean meal diet was formulated to supply .55% sulfur amino acids and contained a choline and sulfur-free vitamin and mineral premix. Lysine was added to provide a total of 1.13% lysine. Seven additional treatments were formulated by substituting for corn .17% DL-methionine, .29% choline dihydrogen citrate or .25% Na₂SO₄ to create a 2³ factorial arrangement of treatments. There were methionine x choline x sulfate interactions for average daily gain (P<.001) and feed-to-gain ratio (F:G; P<.05). Adding choline, methionine, Na₂SO₄ or choline plus methionine to the basal diet did not improve gains. However, when Na₂SO₄ plus methionine or Na₂SO₄ plus choline were added, daily gains were increased (P<.05) and F:G was improved (P<.1). Addition of all three supplements did not result in a further increase in gain. Pigs fed choline-supplemented diets had higher (P<.01) hematocrit and tended (P=.07) to have increased hemoglobin concentration. There was no effect on serum triglycerides or alkaline phosphatase activity due to dietary treatment. The concentration of Se in muscle, liver, kidney and blood was not influenced by sulfate content of the diet.

¹ Florida Agr. Exp. Sta. Journal Series No. 6601.

² Present Address: Florida Coop. Ext. Ser., Live Oak, FL 32060.

³ Contact for reprints. Present address: Dept. of Anim. Sci., North Carolina State Univ., Box 7621, Raleigh, NC 27695-7621.

⁴ Dept. of Poul. Sci.

⁵ Dept. of Anim. Sci.