John Bryan O.

Jamison
UPLB GROUP 1

Zinc has many functions in our body for one, it decreases wound healing
time, important for maintaining integrity of the immune system, used by the body
to produce testosterone, growth hormones, and insulin-like growth factor 1
(Brisson, 2014). In this, zinc improves sex drive and semen volume, and improves
insulin sensitivity (Clements, 2012). Zinc is absorbed in the small intestine and is
listed as important for the growth of cats and dogs (Designing health, 2012). Zinc
methionine, or zinc monomethionine is one of its organic forms and is bound to an
essential amino acid called methionine this has very important role in protein
synthesis, and participates in wide range of biochemical reactions as well as having
antioxidant activities, and anti hepatoxic activities (Sabinsa, 2012). Zinc methionine
is one of the recommended sources or forms of zinc and there are many studies to
support this. Zinc methionine also makes a good source since it increases plasma
zinc without any reduction to copper levels since higher zinc levels decrease copper
absorption (Sabinsa, 2012).
In older studies, there are no significant difference in terms of the
bioavailability of zinc methionine when compared to the use of inorganic ones
specifically zinc oxide (Pimentel, 1991) in contrast to this, using ewes as test
subjects, zinc methionine is easier to be absorbed in terms of bioavailability in
comparison to other forms of zinc especially those of inorganic types such as zinc
sulfate (Pal, 2010). This is supported by Tan (2000), in which abalone is used as test
subjects. Using sheep as test subjects, zinc methionine shows increased plasma
insulin like growth factor concentration and higher level of glycogen concentration
and thus this may indicate improvements in growth, energy balance and
gastrointestinal developments (Jafarpour, 2014). On the other hand, using cows as
test subjects, there is increased quality of milk and improvements in lactation
performance (Kellogg, 2016). In turkeys, the immunity is increased specifically in
phagocytic functions (Kidd, 1994). There is increased intestinal development and
functional improvement with zinc methionine administration in chicken embryos
(Tako, 2005). In broiler chicks, zinc methionine inclusion in replacement of inorganic
sources improves growth performance, reduced plasma uric acid and triglycerides
concentration and thus consequently decreased abdominal fat. (Jahanian, 2014).
Protein utilization is also increased in goats (Salama et al. 2005). Also, in goats,
there is increased average daily gain and mohair growth with supplementation of
zinc methionine. In rats, with the association of EDTA and zinc methionine complex,
there is higher zinc absorption. In piglets, with the association of antibacterial
peptide, zinc methionine are effective for improving growth performance, enhancing
immune function, blood vessel function, and antioxidant enzyme activity (Wang,
2011)