The lack of effect of a pyridoxine deficiency on the utilization of the hydroxyl analogue of methionine by the chick.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a vitamin B6 deficiency affects the utilization of 2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid (HMB), an analogue of methionine. The basal diet used for this purpose was based on peas, peanut meal, and glucose monohydrate and was low in both methionine and pyridoxine. Supplemental pyridoxine hydrochloride and L-methionine or HMB resulted in significant increases in growth rate and efficiency of feed utilization; supplemental pyridoxine also produced significant increases in the activity of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (PGOT, EC 2.6.1.1.) in plasma. There was no discernible effect of change in vitamin B6 status on the utilization of HMB as compared with L-methionine.