title: Effect of dosage and application mode of L-carnitine on plasma lipid and egg-yolk cholesterol of turkeys, hatchability of eggs and post-hatch growth of their offsprings.
abstract: The effect of dosage and application mode of L-carnitine on plasma lipid and egg-yolk cholesterol of breeder turkeys, hatchability of eggs and post-hatch growth response was investigated using 180 breeder hens. The hens were assigned to six dietary treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangements of two application modes of L-carnitine (diet and drinking water) supplemented at 0, 50 and 100 ppm (mg/kg or mg/l) levels, respectively. Each treatment was replicated five times with six hens per replicate. Dietary inclusion of 50 ppm L-carnitine showed the lowest (p < 0.01) plasma total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein concentration (LDL). Breeder hens offered 50 ppm L-carnitine with no regard to application mode recorded the highest (p < 0.01) plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Hens offered 50 and 100 ppm L-carnitine irrespective of application mode also showed reduced (p < 0.01) egg-yolk TC concentration at 32 weeks of age. Dietary supplementation of 50 ppm L-carnitine for breeder turkeys recorded the lowest (p < 0.01) egg-yolk triglyceride (TG) at 40 weeks of age. Hens offered 50 ppm L-carnitine irrespective of application mode recorded the highest (p < 0.05) hen-day egg production. Incidence of dead-in-shell also reduced (p < 0.05) with increasing dosage of L-carnitine. Dietary supplementation of 50 ppm and oral application in drinking water of 100 ppm L-carnitine for breeder turkeys resulted in highest (p < 0.05) egg fertility. Offsprings from breeder hens fed diets supplemented with L-carnitine recorded no post-hatch mortality. Highest (p < 0.05) post-hatch final live weight and weight gain was obtained with poults obtained from hens fed diet supplemented with 50 ppm L-carnitine. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 50 ppm L-carnitine for turkey hens showed improved serum lipid profile, egg fertility, reduced dead-in-shell, egg-yolk cholesterol and resulted in improved post-hatch growth performance.
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Oso
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Fafiolu
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Adeleke
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Ladokun
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Sobayo
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Jegede
authors.forename: S O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Oyebamiji
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Akinsola
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D002331:Carnitine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D060766:Drinking Water; D004530:Egg Yolk / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D014422:Turkeys / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D008055:Lipids; D002784:Cholesterol; D002331:Carnitine