REVIEW article
Front. Anim. Sci.
Sec. Animal Nutrition
This article is part of the Research TopicNutrigenetics and Nutrigenomics in LivestockView all articles
Rumen-protected methionine for dairy and beef cattle: Current perspectives on methionine role, supplementation strategies, metabolism, health, and performance
Provisionally accepted
Thais Correia Costa1*
Karolina Batista Nascimento2
Marina de Arruda Camargo Danés2
Mateus Pies Gionbelli2
Marcio de Souza Duarte1,3*- 11Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
- 2Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Lavras, Lavras, Brazil
- 3University of Guelph Department of Animal Biosciences, Guelph, Canada
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Protein utilization by ruminants has unique characteristics due to the fractioning into ruminal degraded and undegraded portions. Because of these peculiarities, the amino acid (AA) profile that reaches the intestines for absorption differs from the known dietary protein sources. Among the essential AAs, methionine (Met) is the most limiting nutrient, especially in dairy cattle diets. Moreover, Met contributes to several biological processes, such as protein synthesis, epigenetic regulation, nuclear function, cellular redox potential, phospholipid homeostasis, among others. Hence, given these factors, there are considerable efforts to investigate the efficacy of this AA by employing technologies aimed at shielding it from rumen degradation in both dairy and beef cattle. In light of this, it is valuable to consolidate the findings available in the scientific literature regarding the performance, reproduction, fetal development, and health-related outcomes of rumen-protected methionine (RPM). This approach aims to offer a thorough and unbiased perspective concerning the potential outcomes achievable through the application of this technology. For instance, such insights can serve as a robust foundation for decision-making concerning implementing this technology in practical operations. Therefore, this literature review aims to: (1) explore Met metabolism and its importance as a precursor of methyl donor; (2) provide information on the existing methods for protecting Met in the rumen; and (3) compile research findings concerning the potential impacts of Met supplementation on milk production and composition, body weight gain, reproductive outcomes, immune function, and fetal development in both dairy and beef cattle.
Keywords: bovine, by-pass amino acid, epigenetic, Immune System, performance, Nretention
Received: 23 Oct 2025; Accepted: 28 Nov 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Correia Costa, Batista Nascimento, de Arruda Camargo Danés, Pies Gionbelli and de Souza Duarte. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence:
Thais Correia Costa
Marcio de Souza Duarte
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