METHIONINE REQUIREMENT OF JUVENILE CHINESE SOFT SHELL TURTLE

Ninety juvenile Chinese soft shell turtles(T. Sinensis)(initially weight 17.64±0.25g) were divided into six groups, fed semipurified diets containing methionine 0.82%, 1.12%, 1.32%, 1.52%, 1.72%, 2.02%(containing cystine 0.56%) for 45 days respectively for determining the methionine requirement of Chinese soft shell turtles(T. Sinensis). There were white fish meal, liver meal, soy protein meal, glutin, fish oil, corn oil, sucrose, α-starch, amino acids premixture, vitamins premixture and mineral premixture in the experimental diet. The weight, liver weight, body fat content, body methionine content have been determined at the trial end. Results from the experiment indicated there were great significant differences in special rate(SGR), feed conversion rate(FCR), liver weight/body weight(LW/BW) and methionine retention rate(MRR)(P0.05). The methionine requirement of the juvenile soft shell turtle is 1.28%(dietary base) or 3.07%(protein base) with diet containing cystine 0.56%.