Abstract:
The effect of Trichostrongylus colubriformis infection on methionine (Met) metabolism in Dorset - Romney lambs was examined. The parasitic larvae were dosed orally for 6 days. Met metabolism was determined six weeks later with an infusion of DL-[3,3,4,4-deuterium4]Met. The infection reduced the Met : d4-Met ratio in the mesenteric vein (P = 0.09), and increased Met uptake from the artery relative to Met sourced from tissue protein breakdown (P= 0.07) in the duodenum. The results demonstrated that a considerable reduction in Met absorption incurred with T. colubriformis infection.