Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Dietary effects of L-carnitine supplement on performance and blood parameters of broiler chickens

Author(s):

Mir Mehdi Hossininezhad ¹, Mehrdad Irani ¹, Alireza Seidavi ^2*

Recieved Date: 2011-07-11, Accepted Date: 2011-09-24

Abstract:

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the effects of using different levels of L-carnitine supplement on carcass characteristics and blood parameters of broilers. The present study was conducted in six treatments and four replications including different levels of L-carnitine. One-day chicks were used from Ross-308 strain. Six levels of treatments included 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg of L-carnitine for total period and 100 mg/ kg of L-carnitine at tenth day of birth. There were fifteen chickens in each experimental unit. Chickens were weighed and recorded weekly, and amount of consumed feed in each experimental unit was recorded. Finally, one broiler was selected for blood sampling from each cage The broiler that had closest weight mean to its unit’s mean, was selected and analyzed for study of carcass components. Results indicated that mean of weight gain in total period was significant (P<0.05). Conversion ratio decreased in total period significantly (P<0.05). Moreover, the percentages of carcass, thigh, breast and back percentage were significantly different between treatments. Differences were significant for fat percentage, cardial output and efficiency of the liver and gizzard percentage (P<0.05). Fat percentage decreased when L-carnitine levels increased. Weights of heart, liver and gizzard in control treatment were higher than in other treatments. Blood factors showed significant difference (P<0.05). A decrease was significant in fifth treatment including 200 mg/kg of L-carnitine supplement. According to positive effect of using L-carnitine supplement on broilers performance characteristics and reduction of cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL and VLDL, it is useful to increase amounts of L-carnitine supplement in broiler feed up to 200 mg/kg.

Keywords:

Chick, weight gain, triglycerides, carcass, L-carnitine

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2011
Volume: 9
Issue: 3&4
Category: Agriculture
Pages: 475-481

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