Importance of methionine in nutrition of piglets and their mothers

Methionine is a sulfur-containing, essential amino acid involved in various physiological processes. Apart from its role in protein synthesis, methionine is a precursor of S-adenosylmethionine, homocysteine, cysteine and carnitine. Dietary methionine deficiency impairs intestinal development. Methionine supplementation maintains small intestinal integrity in post-weaning piglets. Moreover, methionine supplementation may improve antioxidant status. Maternal dietary intake of methionine during gestation and lactation affects piglet birth weight and growth performance of piglets during lactation. The aim of this paper was to present the aspects connected with importance of methionine in nutrition of piglets and their mothers