Effect of L-carnitine and soybean oil on growth performance and body composition of early-weaned pigs.

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary L-carnitine on growth performance and body composition of early-weaned pigs. In Exp. 1, 120 weanling pigs (initially 5.6 kg and 19 +/- 2 d of age) were allotted in a 3 x 2 factorial with four pigs per pen and five replications (pens) per treatment. Main effects from d 0 to 14 after weaning included dietary L-carnitine (0, 500, or 1,000 ppm) and soybean oil (0 to 10%). From d 14 to 35 after weaning, levels were reduced to 0, 250, or 500 ppm L-carnitine and 0 or 5% soybean oil. No L-carnitine x soybean oil interactions were observed (P > .10). From d 0 to 14, L-carnitine and soybean oil had no effect (P > .10) on pig performance. From d 14 to 35 and d 0 to 35, gain:feed ratio (G/F) improved (linear, P < .05) with increasing dietary L-carnitine; however, ADG and ADFI were not affected. Soybean oil improved ADG and G/F (P < .05) from d 14 to 35 and ADG from d 0 to 35. In Exp. 2, 180 weanling pigs (initially 6.0 kg and 22 +/- 2 d of age) were allotted in a 2 x 3 factorial. Pigs were fed either 0 or 1,000 ppm L-carnitine from d 0 to 14 after weaning and then pigs fed each of these diets were fed diets containing 0, 250, or 500 ppm L-carnitine from d 14 to 35. No interactions occurred between feeding L-carnitine from d 0 to 14 and performance observed from d 14 to 35. From d 0 to 14 after weaning, L-carnitine increased ADG (P < .08) and ADFI (P < .02). From d 14 to 35, ADFI decreased (linear, P < .05) and G/F increased (quadratic, P < .05) as dietary L-carnitine increased. Cumulative (d 0 to 35) ADFI decreased (linear, P < .05) and G/F increased (linear, P < .05) with increasing L-carnitine. On d 35, 14 pigs from each of four selected treatments (0 or 1,000 ppm L-carnitine from d 0 to 14 followed by either 0 or 500 ppm from d 14 to 35) were slaughtered, and carcass composition was recorded. Carcass moisture and CP percentages were not influenced (P > .10) by dietary L-carnitine. However, pigs fed 1,000 ppm L-carnitine from d 0 to 14 had less (P < .05) carcass lipid and daily lipid accretion on d 35 whether they were fed L-carnitine from d 14 to 35 or not. These results suggest that dietary L-carnitine improves G/F and reduces carcass lipid accretion in early-weaned pigs.

Effects of l-carnitine supplementation to suckling piglets on carcass and meat quality at market age

“…However, the intensified utilization of fatty acids is not always reflected by decreased NEFA levels. The NEFA concentrations were not affected by carnitine in our previous study (Lö sel et al, 2009) and in carnitine-supplemented weanling pigs (Owen et al, 1996). In contrast, in gestating sows NEFA concentration was decreased by carnitine (Woodworth et al, 2007).…”

“…Owing to its essential role for the transportation of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondrial matrix where b-oxidation of activated fatty acids takes place, carnitine is often associated with increased fatty acid utilization as shown in porcine mitochondria in vitro (Heo et al, 2000) and in liver mitochondria and hepatocytes of carnitine-supplemented growing pigs (Owen et al, 2001). As a result, reduced body fat accretion has been observed in suckling, weaning and growing pigs in response to carnitine (Owen et al, 1996 and2001;Lö sel et al, 2009). However, the intensified utilization of fatty acids is not always reflected by decreased NEFA levels.…”

Effects of chromium picolinate, L-carnitine and thyroxine on the performance, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance in pigs weaned at 21 days of age

“…It is reported that inclusion of dietary L-carnitine could enhance the growth performance of starter pigs (Weeden et al, 1990;Owen et al, 1996;Cho et al, 1999a,b). Furthermore, L-carnitine could improve N digestibility, N retention rate as well as biological value of feeds in pigs (Heo et al, 1999).…”

Effects of dietary additions of modified tall oil, chromium nicotinate, and L-carnitine on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and bacon characteristics of growing-finishing pigs

“…Smith et al (1994) reported that finishing pigs (34 to 102 kg) fed carnitine had larger LM area and greater percentage muscle than control pigs, but growth performance was not affected. Owen et al (1996) also concluded dietary L-carnitine reduces lipid accretion in early-weaned pigs. Owen et al (2001a) explained the mechanism for these improved carcass characteristics.…”

“…Carnitine is a vitamin-like compound that facilitates transport of long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria for adenosine triphosphate production via β-oxidation and oxidative phosphorylation (Owen et al 1996). Smith et al (1994) reported that finishing pigs (34 to 102 kg) fed carnitine had larger LM area and greater percentage muscle than control pigs, but growth performance was not affected.…”