[Bello Bashir]

Well detailed

[Muhammad Ahmad]

While all amino acids are essential, and a balanced profile is crucial, the single most critical amino acid for supporting immunity during early brooding is Methionine.

Here is a detailed breakdown of why Methionine takes the top spot, along with other key contenders.

The Primary Answer: Methionine

Methionine is considered the first limiting amino acid in most practical poultry diets, especially those based on corn and soybean meal. Its role in immunity is profound and multi-faceted:

1. Precursor for Cysteine and Taurine: Methionine can be converted into Cysteine (a conditionally essential amino acid). Together, they are the primary sulfur-containing amino acids (SAA) used for:

· Glutathione Synthesis: Glutathione is the body’s most powerful antioxidant. A robust antioxidant system is vital for protecting immune cells (like lymphocytes and macrophages) from oxidative damage as they fight pathogens.

· Taurine Synthesis: Taurine plays a role in regulating inflammation and supporting the function of immune cells.

2. Direct Protein Synthesis for Immune Cells: Methionine is a fundamental building block for all proteins. During an immune challenge, the body rapidly produces immunoglobulins (antibodies), cytokines, and new immune cells. A shortage of methionine directly impairs this rapid-response protein synthesis.

3. Methyl Group Donor: Methionine is a key methyl donor in countless biochemical reactions through its role in the SAMe (S-Adenosyl Methionine) cycle. This is critical for:

· DNA and RNA synthesis, which is essential for the rapid proliferation of immune cells.

· Cellular function and regulation, including that of immune cells.

In practical terms: A deficiency in methionine will not only stunt growth and feathering but will also lead to a visibly compromised immune system. Chicks will be more susceptible to early challenges like E. coli, Salmonella, and Coccidiosis.

—

Other Critical Contenders in the “Immunity Team”

It’s important to recognize that amino acids work in concert. Highlighting methionine doesn’t diminish the vital role of others:

· Threonine: This is arguably the second most critical for immunity. A significant portion of dietary threonine is used for the synthesis of mucoproteins in the gut mucosa and antibodies (IgG and IgA). A strong gut mucosa is the first line of defense against pathogens. If the gut barrier is compromised due to threonine deficiency, pathogens have easy access to the body.

· Lysine: This is typically the second limiting amino acid. It is essential for the production of antibodies and the proliferation of immune cells. While its primary role is often associated with growth (protein accretion), this process is inseparable from building a competent immune system.

· Arginine: Crucial during periods of immune stress. It is a precursor for nitric oxide, a potent molecule used by macrophages to kill intracellular pathogens. It also supports T-cell function and wound healing.

Practical Implications for the Brooding Phase

1. The “Limiting” Concept: The bird’s ability to use all other amino acids for growth and immunity is limited by the first limiting amino acid (usually Methionine). You can have a diet rich in Threonine and Arginine, but if Methionine is deficient, the immune system cannot utilize them effectively.

2. Early Development: The brooding phase is a period of rapid development of both the somatic body and the immune system. The demands for amino acids are extremely high. Any deficiency during this critical window can have long-lasting effects on flock uniformity and disease resilience.

3. Dietary Specification: Modern broiler diets are precisely formulated on a digestible amino acid basis. Nutritionists ensure that the SAA (Methionine + Cysteine) and Lysine levels are met first, followed by Threonine, Arginine, and others, in that order of priority.

Summary

Amino Acid Primary Immune Function(s) Reason for Critical Status

Methionine 1. Glutathione (Antioxidant) synthesis 2. Precursor for Cysteine 3. Methylation (DNA/RNA synthesis) First limiting amino acid; foundational for antioxidant defense and rapid immune cell production.

Threonine 1. Gut mucosa integrity 2. Antibody (IgA, IgG) production Critical for the first physical barrier against pathogens and humoral immunity.

Lysine 1. Antibody and immune cell protein synthesis Second limiting amino acid; essential for overall protein accretion, including immune components.

Arginine 1. Nitric oxide production (macrophage function) 2. T-cell function Vital for cell-mediated immunity and killing intracellular pathogens.

Conclusion:

For a brief, direct answer: Methionine is the most critical amino acid for supporting immunity during early brooding due to its role as the first limiting amino acid and its unique functions in antioxidant production and cellular methylation, which are foundational to a rapid and effective immune response.

A successful brooding program must be built on a diet that adequately meets the methionine requirement, supported by a balanced profile of all other essential amino acids.Of course. This is an excellent question that gets to the heart of proactive poultry management.

While all amino acids are essential, and a balanced profile is crucial, the single most critical amino acid for supporting immunity during early brooding is Methionine.

Here is a detailed breakdown of why Methionine takes the top spot, along with other key contenders.

The Primary Answer: Methionine

Methionine is considered the first limiting amino acid in most practical poultry diets, especially those based on corn and soybean meal. Its role in immunity is profound and multi-faceted:

1. Precursor for Cysteine and Taurine: Methionine can be converted into Cysteine (a conditionally essential amino acid). Together, they are the primary sulfur-containing amino acids (SAA) used for:
· Glutathione Synthesis: Glutathione is the body’s most powerful antioxidant. A robust antioxidant system is vital for protecting immune cells (like lymphocytes and macrophages) from oxidative damage as they fight pathogens.
· Taurine Synthesis: Taurine plays a role in regulating inflammation and supporting the function of immune cells.
2. Direct Protein Synthesis for Immune Cells: Methionine is a fundamental building block for all proteins. During an immune challenge, the body rapidly produces immunoglobulins (antibodies), cytokines, and new immune cells. A shortage of methionine directly impairs this rapid-response protein synthesis.
3. Methyl Group Donor: Methionine is a key methyl donor in countless biochemical reactions through its role in the SAMe (S-Adenosyl Methionine) cycle. This is critical for:
· DNA and RNA synthesis, which is essential for the rapid proliferation of immune cells.
· Cellular function and regulation, including that of immune cells.

In practical terms: A deficiency in methionine will not only stunt growth and feathering but will also lead to a visibly compromised immune system. Chicks will be more susceptible to early challenges like E. coli, Salmonella, and Coccidiosis.

—

Other Critical Contenders in the “Immunity Team”

It’s important to recognize that amino acids work in concert. Highlighting methionine doesn’t diminish the vital role of others:

· Threonine: This is arguably the second most critical for immunity. A significant portion of dietary threonine is used for the synthesis of mucoproteins in the gut mucosa and antibodies (IgG and IgA). A strong gut mucosa is the first line of defense against pathogens. If the gut barrier is compromised due to threonine deficiency, pathogens have easy access to the body.
· Lysine: This is typically the second limiting amino acid. It is essential for the production of antibodies and the proliferation of immune cells. While its primary role is often associated with growth (protein accretion), this process is inseparable from building a competent immune system.
· Arginine: Crucial during periods of immune stress. It is a precursor for nitric oxide, a potent molecule used by macrophages to kill intracellular pathogens. It also supports T-cell function and wound healing.

Practical Implications for the Brooding Phase

1. The “Limiting” Concept: The bird’s ability to use all other amino acids for growth and immunity is limited by the first limiting amino acid (usually Methionine). You can have a diet rich in Threonine and Arginine, but if Methionine is deficient, the immune system cannot utilize them effectively.
2. Early Development: The brooding phase is a period of rapid development of both the somatic body and the immune system. The demands for amino acids are extremely high. Any deficiency during this critical window can have long-lasting effects on flock uniformity and disease resilience.
3. Dietary Specification: Modern broiler diets are precisely formulated on a digestible amino acid basis. Nutritionists ensure that the SAA (Methionine + Cysteine) and Lysine levels are met first, followed by Threonine, Arginine, and others, in that order of priority.

Summary

Amino Acid Primary Immune Function(s) Reason for Critical Status
Methionine 1. Glutathione (Antioxidant) synthesis 2. Precursor for Cysteine 3. Methylation (DNA/RNA synthesis) First limiting amino acid; foundational for antioxidant defense and rapid immune cell production.
Threonine 1. Gut mucosa integrity 2. Antibody (IgA, IgG) production Critical for the first physical barrier against pathogens and humoral immunity.
Lysine 1. Antibody and immune cell protein synthesis Second limiting amino acid; essential for overall protein accretion, including immune components.
Arginine 1. Nitric oxide production (macrophage function) 2. T-cell function Vital for cell-mediated immunity and killing intracellular pathogens.

Conclusion:

For a brief, direct answer: Methionine is the most critical amino acid for supporting immunity during early brooding due to its role as the first limiting amino acid and its unique functions in antioxidant production and cellular methylation, which are foundational to a rapid and effective immune response.

A successful brooding program must be built on a diet that adequately meets the methionine requirement, supported by a balanced profile of all other essential amino acids.

[Muhammad Ahmad]

Thanks

Appreciated

[India]

Please read this article in the attachment on quick assessment of Soybean meal quality.

– Dr Malathi

3-simple-tests-that-tell-you-everything-about-soybean-meal-quality.pdf 749 KB PDF - Click to view

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[Elizabeth Aborisade]

Methionine

[Elizabeth Aborisade]

Water temperature between 18-21°C is considered ideal for poultry birds. Water temperatures between 25- 30°C can be beneficial. Thank you

[India]

Do enzymes really work in poultry?

If so, which enzymes (cocktail) are beneficial? Please share your thought/experience..

-Dr Malathi

[India]

There are many additives which have proven to improve gut health, in terms of improving gut integrity, reducing pathogen load, increasing beneficial microbes load, increasing SCFA, etc

Few of such commonly used additives, which have given positive response are, Probiotics (multiple species), prebiotics, postbiotics (metabolites of probiotic species) organic acids – butyrate (coated/encapsulated), plant extracts (garlic, cinnamon, turmeric, thymol etc) etc

– Dr Malathi

[India]

Please read the article on Fowl pox in the RESOURCE CATALOG section for complete details

– Dr Malathi

[India]

Strict biosecurity and regular screening of parent flock for presence of reactors/carriers is the key to keep salmonellosis at bay

– Dr malathi

[Dr. Deepashree]

Good information

[Dr. Deepashree]

Thanks for nformation

[India]

In addition, regular screening of the flock and culling the positive birds

– Dr Malathi

[India]

👍

[India]

Good note