Methionine Improves Feather Follicle Development in Chick Embryos by Activating Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling

This study investigated the effects of methionine (Met) on feather follicle and feather development in chick embryos, using 280 fertile eggs injected with varying doses of L-Met or DL-Met. Results indicated that both forms of Met increased feather weight and improved feather follicle development by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, without affecting embryo weight. Specifically, certain doses of Met significantly enhanced feather weight and follicle density on embryonic day 15 and the day of hatching. The study concluded that Met could be a potential nutritional intervention for enhancing feather growth in poultry, with no significant difference between the effects of L-Met and DL-Met.