The Effects of L-carnitine Supplementation into Drinking Water on Growth Performance and Immunologic Parameters in Broilers

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of the L-carnitine supplementation as liquid form into drinking water on broiler growth performance and serum immunoglobulin levels. In the study, a total of 240 one-day old Ross 308 chicks were randomly classified into two experimental groups as the control and L-carnitine supplementation group. Each experimental group was consisted of 4 pens, each consisting 30 chicks per pen. The L-carnitine in liquid form was added into drinking water as daily with an amount of 0.2 l liquid product per 100 l drinking water, for 3 days in each week until 35 days of age. At 35 days of age, final body weight was found to be higher in broiler treated with L-carnitine compared to the control group (2183.7 g vs. 2051.7 g, P<0.05). On the other hand, any significant differences observed for body weight, cumulative feed consumption and feed conversion rate. The broilers treated with L-carnitine had higher levels IgA, IgG and IgM than the broilers in the control group at 35 days of age (34.4 vs. 28.9; 118.9 vs. 108.6; 5.9 vs. 5.0 mg/dl respectively, P<0.01). Regarding with observed current findings, L-carnitine could be recommended as immunomodulatory additive with providing higher body weight gain in broiler production.