Lipotropic Activity of Choline, Betaine, and Methionine in Ducklings

A purified diet, deficient in choline and containing 18% casein, results in fatty infiltration of the liver in ducklings killed at four weeks. Total liver lipids is about 13%, the normal value being 6 to 7%. Addition of 0.1 or 0.3% choline chloride results in nearly normal livers. In this respect, ducklings differ from chicks and are comparable to rats and dogs. Betaine has a slight lipotropic activity but does not stimulate growth and has no antiperotic properties. DL-methionine, when added to a purified diet containing 9% casein or to a simplified diet containing 15% casein, has no lipotropic activity. On the contrary, this ammo acid increases the total lipids and the severity of fatty infiltration of the livers. Choline has a triple function in ducklings; it promotes growth, prevents hepatic fatty infiltration, and perosis.