Carcass Traits and Immune Response of Broiler Chickens Fed Dietary L-Carnitine, Coenzyme Q10 and Ractopamine

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of coenzyme Q 10 , L-carnitine and ractopamine supplementation, alone and in combinations, on carcass traits and immune response of broiler chickens. Five hundred and twelve one-day-old Ross 308 male broiler chickens were randomly allocated into eight treatments with four replicates each. A 2×2×2 factorial arrangement was applied, with two levels of coenzyme Q 10 (0 and 40 mg/kg), two levels of L-carnitine (0 and 200 mg/kg) and two levels of ractopamine (0 and 10 mg/kg). The birds were reared until day 42 of age under standard conditions. Blood samples were collected at the end of grower and finisher periods from the wing vein. Four birds per group were sacrificed at day 42 of age. Except for carcass yield, other carcass traits were not significantly affected (p>0.05) by different levels of coenzyme Q 10 , L-carnitine, or ractopamine. Immune response parameters were significantly (p<0.05) different between the treatments. The lowest antibody titers against Newcastle disease virus and relative spleen weight were observed in control group. The results of this study suggest that addition of coenzyme Q 10 and L-carnitine to broiler diets has benefit effect on immune response of broiler chickens.

Effects of In Ovo Injection of Coenzyme Q10 on Hatchability, Subsequent Performance, and Immunity of Broiler Chickens

“…The results of this study are in agreement with Nemati et al [13] and Asadi et al [14], who reported that coQ10 supplementation of hatched chickens diets at different ages were high responders for antibody production of ND, AI, and IBD compared to the negative and positive control groups. However, the degree of response for immune system (humoral and cell mediated immune systems) to in ovo injection depends upon genetics, parent stock age, egg size, and incubation conditions [8].…”

“…Though it seems that the difference in hatchability percentage has been observed between the two control groups (the sham and uninjected groups) related to the effect of injection on egg fertility and hatching performance. Higher improvements in immunity system with regard to higher antibody production by in ovo injection of coQ10 in present study are in accordance with the results of many studies [13, 14, 31]. It is due to special effect of antioxidant components that protects tissue of immunological organs against destruction [38], also influences of coQ10 on helper T-cells, phagocytosis activity, and prostaglandin synthesis in lymphoid organelles [8, 13].…”

“…The results of some studies indicated that coQ10 supplementation of hatched chickens diets at different ages resulted in high levels of antibody production for ND, AI, and IBD compared to the negative and positive control groups [13, 14]. However, the degree and quality of response for immune system to in ovo injection of coQ10 or other nutrients depend upon genetics, parent stock age, egg size, and incubation conditions [8].…”

The Effect of Dietary Tarragon (Artemisia Dracunculus) Powders in Different Levels on Carcass Characteristics and Some Internal Organ’s Weight of Broiler Chickens

“…The feed was withdrawn three hours before slaughter (Asadi et al, 2016). At the end of the trial (42 days old), two birds per each replica, whose body weights were nearest to the average body weight of their groups, were selected from every treatment (12 in treatment, 48 birds in total).…”

The whole issue

“…Parsaeimehr et al (2014a) reported that the use of L-carnitine had a significant effect on Newcastle antibody titer at 32 days of age but had no effect on Newcastle-antibody titer at 42 days of age. Researchers investigating the effects of L-carnitine (0 and 200 mg/kg), coenzyme Q10 (0 and 40 mg/kg), and ractopamine (0 and 10 mg/kg) in a factorial experiment on chicken Ross 308 male broiler showed that the addition of coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine in the diet of broiler chickens has a positive effect on immune response (Asadi et al, 2016).…”