The effect of L-carnitine supplementation on reproductive traits of white leghorns
Abstract
A previous study conducted in our laboratory showed that feeding 500 ppm of dietary L-carnitine to young and aging White Leghorns for 5 wk improved sperm concentration and reduced sperm lipid peroxidation during the last half of supplementation. The current study examined the effect of feeding dosimetric as well as lower levels of L-carnitine for longer durations on semen traits of White Leghorns, and examined if reproductive efficiency could be improved by feeding L-carnitine to both parents over that of feeding L-carnitine to only the male or the female. The results showed that long-term consumption of 125 ppm of L-carnitine beginning at hatch was the only dietary treatment that sustained a persistent increase in sperm concentration. But this improvement of sperm concentration did not result in a subsequent improvement in hatch rate most likely due to the high numbers of sperm that were inseminated artificially in both the control and L-carnitine supplemented hens. The higher concentrations of Lcarnitine in the yolk of hatching eggs obtained from hens consuming L-carnitine as compared to controls may have encouraged the utilization of fat by developing embryos as indicated by smaller yolk sac weights and lower yolk sac lipid content. However, the in ovo injection of L-carnitine at dosages from 0.05 to 10 μmols into fertile chicken eggs at 17 or 18 d of incubation did not affect hatch rate, yolk sac weight, or body weight.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Latour, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Livestock
Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server.