title: Carnitine supplementation modulates high dietary copper-induced oxidative toxicity and reduced performance in laying hens.
abstract: This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of L-carnitine on performance, egg quality and certain biochemical parameters in laying hens fed a diet containing high levels of copper proteinate. Forty-eight 42-week-old laying hens were divided into four groups with four replicates. The laying hens were fed with a basal diet (control) or the basal diet supplemented with either 400 mg carnitine (Car)/kg diet, 800 mg copper proteinate (CuP)/kg diet or 400 mg carnitine + 800 mg copper (Car+CuP)/kg diet, for 6 weeks. Supplemental CuP decreased feed consumption (p < 0.01), feed efficiency and egg production (p < 0.001), as compared to control. The combination of Car and CuP increased (p < 0.001) egg production and feed efficiency as compared to CuP. The activities of alanine aminotransferase (p < 0.05) and alkaline phosphatase (p < 0.01) were increased, while lactate dehydrogenase activity was decreased (p < 0.001) by supplemental CuP and Car+CuP. Supplemental CuP caused an increase in plasma malondialdehyde (p < 0.01) and nitric oxide levels (p < 0.05). In the Car+CuP group, this increase was observed to have been reduced significantly (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Car+CuP increased (p < 0.05) glucose level. These results indicate that the carnitine and copper combination may prevent the possible adverse effects of high dietary copper on performance and lipid peroxidation in hens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition and Nutritional Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Erciyes, Kocasinan, 38090, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Berrin Kocaoğlu
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Güçlü
authors.forename: Kanber
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kara
authors.forename: Latife
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Çakır
authors.forename: Ebru
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Çetin
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kanbur
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002331:Carnitine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002645:Chickens / Q000502:physiology*; D003300:Copper / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity*; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004528:Egg Shell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects; D004531:Eggs; D004798:Enzymes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004798:Enzymes; D008903:Minerals; D011506:Proteins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D003300:Copper; D002331:Carnitine