Effects of L-carnitine supplementation in drinking water on layer

Effects of L-carnitine supplementation in drinking water on layer

Arch.Geflügelk., 74 (2). S. 116–120, 2010, ISSN 0003-9098. © Verlag Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart
Effects of L-carnitine supplementation in drinking water on
layer-type chick juvenile performance
Einfluss einer L-Carnitin-Zulage zum Trinkwasser auf die Entwicklung von Legehennenküken in der Starterphase
K.E. Nouboukpo1, K. Tona1, A. Agbonon2, M. Gbeassor1, J. Buyse3 and E. Decuypere3
Manuskript eingegangen am 25. Februar 2009, angenommen am 7. April 2009
Introduction
Improvement of chicken performance can be realized with
1-d-old chicks of high quality, which may be determined a
posteriori by their survivability and growth potential
(CHRISTENSEN, 2001). Several factors in newly hatched
chicks can influence post-hatch growth, and these include
chick holding and nutritional conditions during juvenile
stage (UNI and FERKET, 2004). According to ROMANOFF
(1960), yolk sac is an important source of energy in developing embryo. This author reported that almost 20% of the
body weight of newly hatched chicks is yolk, which provides immediate post-hatch energy. Indeed, ANTHONY et al.
(1989) and NOY and SKLAN (1998) reported that during the
first days of life, yolk sac content is used for maintenance.
Energy of chick during the first days of life is provided by
oxidation of fatty acids of yolk sac content (PUVADOLPIROD et
al., 1997). During the first 5 d after hatching, chicks acquire
yolk derived lipids via lipoproteins. It is also assumed that
yolk sac is involved in initiation of the growth process for
chicks (BIGOT et al., 2001) and carries immunoglobulins
which are transferred from hen to chick. With regard to its
importance during early stage of chick life, quick utilization of yolk sac content can improve chick juvenile performance parameters such as growth rate, feed efficiency
and mortality. Fast utilization of yolk sac content can be
enhanced by administration of substances that can be involved in fatty acid metabolism. L-carnitine is well known
for its metabolic activity of fatty acid (REBOUCHE, 1992; HEO
et al., 2001) and in addition to its anti-oxydant activity.
L-carnitine enhances long chain fatty acids’ metabolism
through mitochondrial membrane. It can be produced by
the animal organism from lysine and methionine. ARSLAN
(2006) reported that endogenous production together
with feed supplementation of L-carnitine should be sufficient to cover the needs of adult birds. However, in young
chick biosynthesis of L-carnitine is less well developed and
therefore, L-cartinine supplementation of chicks during
the starter stage may lead to faster utilization of yolk sac
content. This fast utilization of yolk may result in improvement of performance parameters and immunity functions.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sup-
plementation of L-carnitine in drinking water during the
first 7 d of life on juvenile growth rate, feed efficiency, yolk
sac content utilization, morbidity and serum levels of triglyceride and total proteins.
Material and Methods
Experimental design
A total of 684 Hisex Brown female layer chicks provided by
VLIR project hatchery (Laboratory of Poultry Sciences,
University of Lome) were studied. The chicks were randomized and divided into three different groups of 228
chicks each. These groups were 1) control group (Cont), 2)
chicks with supplementation of 30 mg of L-carnitine per
liter of drinking water (LC30) and 3) chicks with supplementation of 60 mg of L-carnitine per liter of drinking
water (LC 60). L-carnitine doses were based on studies of
XU et al. (2003) and BUYSE et al. (2001). L-carnitine supplementation took place during the first 7 d of rearing. Within
each group, chicks were weighed individually and divided
into two replications of 114 each. They were fed with
standard starter diet2 (2,800 Kcal ME/kg and 20% CP).
Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Within each
replication, all chicks were weighed individually at 7 and
14 d of age. Sample of 36 chicks were used to collect blood
and to weigh residual yolk sac at 1, 7 and 14 d of age. Blood
samples were used to determine serum levels of triglyceride and total proteins. Feed consumptions were measured
and numbers of chicks showing morbidity signs during the
first week of life were recorded.
Morbidity definition
Morbidity was defined as chick showing sign of diarrhea in
cloacal area. During the first week of life, all the chicks
were checked individually within each replication. For each,
group, numbers of chicks that showed sign of diarrhea
were recorded. These numbers were used to calculate the
proportions of chicks showing morbidity signs as:
100 × ni
---------------------Morbidity =
Ni ; where n = number of chicks showing sign of diarrhea in the cloacal area, N = total chick of
chicks and i = replication i.
1Lab. of Poultry Sciences1, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lome, Lome, Togo
2Lab. of Pharmacology of Natural Substances, Faculty of Sciences, University
of Lome, Lome, Togo
3Lab. for Physiology, Immunology and Genetics of Domestic Animals, Depart-
ment of Biosystems, K.U. Leuven, Belgium
1
2
Experimental work was carried out with facilities of this Laboratory
GHANA AGRO FOOD COMPANY LTD (GAFCO) P.O. Box 11345,
Tema, Ghana
Arch.Geflügelk. 2/2010
Nouboukpo et al.: L-Carnitine supplementation and production parameters
Triglyceride, Glucose and total proteins levels
determination
For Triglyceride and total proteins measurements, blood
samples were collected from chicks at 1, 7 and 14 d of age.
Within each replication, blood samples were collected
from 18 chicks at each stage. Triglyceride and total proteins were measured in serum samples by Elisa. Total protein liquicolor, glucose liquicolor, and triglycerides liquicolor provided by Human GmbH (65205 Wiesbaden – Germany) were used for, respectively, total protein and triglyceride concentration determination. All samples were run
in the same assay in order to avoid inter-assay variability.
117
than those of LC30 and LC60 which were comparable. At d
14 of age, chick weights of control group were slightly
higher than those of LC30 and LC60 but the difference was
not significant.
Effect of L-carnitine on yolk sac utilization and morbidity
Yolk sac weights of d-old chicks were similar between
groups. Figure 2 indicates that, at 7 d of age, remaining
yolk sac weights decreased with increasing dose of L-carnitine (P < 0.05). At the same stage proportion of chicks
showing morbidity signs was higher in control group compared to LC30 and LC60 groups (Figure 3; P < 0.05). Proportions of chicks with morbidity signs were not different
between LC30 and LC60 groups.
Statistical analysis
The data were processed with a statistical software package of SYSTAT 11. The general linear models procedure
was used to analyze chick weights; serum triglyceride and
total proteins concentrations in relation to treatment. The
model was as follows:
Yi = µ + αi + εi,
Where, Yi = chick weights, triglyceride or total proteins
concentrations of chick from treatment i, µ = overall mean,
αi = main effect of treatment i, and εi = random error term
from treatment.
Logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of
treatment on morbidity and feed intake.
Effect of L-carnitine on feed intake
Daily feed intake per chick varied between 14.1 g and
15.7 g or 16.4 and 18.07 g, respectively, during the first or
the second week of age. Figure 4 shows feed consumption
according to treatments and age of chicks. Feed intake increased as age of chicks increased (P < 0.01). During the
first week of life, amount of feed consumed decreased with
increasing dose of L-canitine (P < 0.05). For the second
week, feed intake of chicks of control group was higher
(P < 0.05) than that of chicks of LC30 and LC60 groups
which were comparable.
Effect of L-carnitine on triglyceride and total proteins
concentrations
Results
Effect of L-carnitine on chick weights
Day-old chick weights were similar between the three
treatment groups. Overall, chick weight increased from
71.8 g at 7 d of age to 116.4 g at 14 d of age. Figure 1 shows
average chick weights according to age and treatments. At
7 d of age, chicks of control group were lighter (P < 0.05)
Control
140
LC30
LC60
a
Chick weights (g)
100
b
a
a
60
a
a
0.25
a
a
Yolk sac weight (g)
a
120
80
Serum triglyceride, glucose and total protein concentrations of d-old chicks were similar between groups. Average concentrations were 300.97 mg/dL, 86.05 mg/dL and
4.15 mg/dL, respectively for triglycerides, glucose and total protein. Glucose levels were not affected by L-carnitine
supplementation and age of chicks (data not shown).
Figure 5 indicates that overall levels of triglyceride decreased from d 7 to d 14 (P < 0.01). At 7 d and 14 d of age,
a
0.2
0.15
b
0.1
40
0.05
20
0
c
Control
0
0
7
14
LC30
LC60
Treatments
Age of chicks (d)
Figure 1. Average (± SEM) chick weights (g) according to age
and treatments. For each age, data sharing no common letter
were different (P < 0.05).
Mittlere Kükengewichte (g; ± SEM) in Abhängigkeit vom Alter und
den Behandlungen. Für jedes Alter unterscheiden sich Mittelwerte
mit unterschiedlichen lateinischen Buchstaben signifikant
(P < 0,05).
Arch.Geflügelk. 2/2010
Figure 2. Average (± SEM) yolk sac weights (g) at the end of 7 d
according to the treatments (n = 36 chicks). Data sharing no
common letter were different (P < 0.05).
Mittlere Dottersackgewichte (g; ± SEM) am Ende des siebten
Lebenstags in Abhängigkeit der Behandlungen (n = 36 Küken).
Mittelwerte mit unterschiedlichen lateinischen Buchstaben
unterscheiden sich signifikant (P < 0,05).
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Nouboukpo et al.: L-Carnitine supplementation and production parameters
triglyceride levels decreased significantly with increasing
dose of L-carnitine (P < 0.01).
Figure 6 shows concentrations of total proteins in serum
according to treatment and chick age. Total proteins levels
decreased with increasing age of chicks (P < 0.01). At d 7
of age, proteins concentrations were higher in serum of
chicks of control group (P < 0.01) than those of LC30 and
LC60 which were similar. But, at 14 d of age proteins concentrations were comparable between all treatment groups.
Discussion
The results from this study clearly demonstrate L-carnitine
supplementation in drinking water leads to more efficient
utilization of yolk sac content and therefore, improves
chick juvenile growth, morbidity and feed efficiency. L-carnitine supplementation also affected serum levels of biochemical parameters such as triglycerides and total protein
concentrations.
Control
20
25
LC30
a
LC60
a
19
Feed intake per chick (g/d)
Morbidity (%)
20
15
10
b
b
5
18
b
b
a
17
b
16
15
c
14
13
0
Control
LC30
12
LC60
7
Treatments
Figure 3. Proportion of chicks showing morbidity signs (%) at
the end of 7 d according to the treatments. Data sharing no
common letter were different (P < 0.01).
Anteil an Küken mit Morbiditätsanzeichen (%) am Ende des
siebten Lebenstags in Abhängigkeit von den Behandlungen.
Mittelwerte mit unterschiedlichen lateinischen Buchstaben
unterscheiden sich signifikant (P < 0,01).
Control
600
LC30
Figure 4. Daily feed consumption per chick according to treatments and age. For each age, data sharing no common letter
were different (P < 0.05).
Durchschnittliche tägliche Futteraufnahme in Abhängigkeit von
den Behandlungen und dem Alter. Für jedes Alter unterscheiden
sich Mittelwerte mit unterschiedlichen lateinischen Buchstaben
signifikant (P < 0,05).
LC60
Control
14
a
LC30
LC60
a
12
400
a
a
a
Total protein levels (mg/dL)
500
Triglyceride levels (mg/dL)
14
Age of chicks (d)
b
300
c
200
a
10
8
b
b
6
a
a
a
a
a
a
4
b
100
c
2
0
0
0
7
14
Age of chicks (d)
Figure 5. Serum triglycerides concentration according to age
and treatments (n = 36 chicks). For each age, data sharing no
common letter were different (P < 0.05).
Konzentration an Serum-Triglyzeriden in Abhängigkeit vom Alter
und den Behandlungen (n = 36 Küken). Für jedes Alter unterscheiden sich Mittelwerte mit unterschiedlichen lateinischen
Buchstaben signifikant (P < 0,05).
0
7
14
Age of chicks (d)
Figure 6. Serum total proteins concentration according to age
and treatments (n = 36 chicks). For each age, data sharing no
common letter were different (P < 0.05).
Konzentration an Gesamteiweiß im Serum in Abhängigkeit vom
Alter und den Behandlungen (n = 36 Küken). Für jedes Alter unterscheiden sich Mittelwerte mit unterschiedlichen lateinischen
Buchstaben signifikant (P < 0,05).
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Nouboukpo et al.: L-Carnitine supplementation and production parameters
At hatching, the weight of the yolk residue is approximately 10 to 20% of the body weight (ROMANOFF, 1960 and
NITSAN et al., 1991). Yolk comprises 16–20% lipids and
20–25% proteins at hatch. Yolk lipids are mainly composed
of triglycerides (72,5%) and phospholipids (25%) with
small amounts of cholesterol esters (4%) and no free fatty
acids (NOBLE and OGUNYEMI, 1989 and NOY and SKLAN,
1998). Although the decrease in protein during the first
day is slight, thereafter it was rapid reaching only 10% of
the original protein content on day 6 (NITSAN et al., 1991).
The current study shows that L-carnitine supplementation
in drinking water during the first week of chick life leads to
fast utilization of yolk sac content. This result is in the line
with report of ZHAI et al. (2008) who pointed out that high
concentration of L-carnitine in the yolk of hatching eggs
encourages the utilization of fat. According to BIGOT et al.
(2001), the rate of yolk sac content absorption is mainly
related to intensive peristaltic activity. It can be hypothesized that L-carnitine increases peristaltic activity that is
involved in yolk sac content absorption. Moreover, it is well
known that L-carnitine is involved in fat metabolism (RABIE
and SZILAGYI, 1998). Interestingly, supplementation of
L-carnitine in drinking water reduced proportion of chicks
with morbidity signs suggesting that quick consumption of
yolk may provide enough energy to chicks in order to cope
with new environmental conditions. Also, since yolk is the
main site of immunoglobulins deposition, it can be hypothesized that reduced morbidity in L-carnitine supplemented
chicks may be due to early transfer of these immunoglobulins. However, mechanism by which supplement of L-carnitine in drinking water improved morbidity needs more
investigation.
L-carnitine administration decreased serum triglyceride
levels during the first two weeks of age. Moreover, the
decrease was more pronounced in LC60 group confirming
that L-carnitine is greatly involved in fat metabolism. This
result is in the line with reports of SAYED et al. (2001), LIEN
and HORNG (2001) and BUYSE et al. (2001) who pointed out
that incorporation of L-carnitine in broiler diet decreased
serum concentration of triglycerides.
The negative effect of L-carnitine on serum total proteins levels during the first week of age may be partly explained by increased mobilization of proteins for growth
during this stage. Surprisingly, L-carnitine administration
leads to high body weight at the end of 7 d of rearing and
coincides with period of administration of L-carnitine.
Also, changes in body weight followed exactly the same
trend as serum total protein levels suggesting that the low
protein levels in the L-carnitine supplemented chicks may
be a consequence of utilization of proteins for growth. Indeed, high body weight at the end of 7 d can be due to positive effect of L-carnitine of yolk lipoproteins utilization.
With regard to feed intake, this study pointed out that supplementation of L-carnitine in drinking water improves
feed efficiency up to 14 d. This improvement in feed efficiency may be linked to better utilization of yolk sac content for maintenance and for juvenile growth.
It is concluded that L-carnitine supplementation in
drinking water leads to quick utilization of yolk sac content
improved in a dose dependent way, and may hence be considered for improving early post-hatch performance.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by Flemish Interuniversity Council (VLIR) (ZEIN 2006 PR 32). The authors thank KUL,
RUG and UL for facilitating project activities implementation.
Arch.Geflügelk. 2/2010
119
Summary
In young chicks, L-carnitine supplementation during the
starter stage may lead to faster utilization of yolk sac content and hence improvement of juvenile performance. To
evaluate possible dose effects of L-carnitine supplementation in drinking water on juvenile layer-type chick performance, a total of 684 Hisex Brown layer chicks were studied.
The chicks were divided into three groups of 228 chicks
each, namely 1) control group (Cont), 2) chicks with supplementation of 30 mg of L-carnitine per liter of drinking
water (LC30) and 3) chicks with supplementation of
60 mg of L-carnitine per liter of drinking water (LC60).
Within each group, chicks were divided into two replications of 114 each and were reared up to 14 d of age. Sample
of chicks used to collect blood and to weigh yolk sac at 1, 7
and 14 d of age.
Results indicate that, yolk sac utilization, morbidity and
serum concentration of triglyceride decreased significantly
with increasing dose of L-carnitine (P < 0.05). The decrease in triglyceride concentration lasted up to 14 d of age
not understanding the fact that L-carnitine supplementation covered only the first 7 d. Serum total protein levels or
chick body weights, respectively, were lower or higher in
L-carnitine supplemented chicks compared to control
group (P < 0.05) only during the period of administration.
It is concluded that L-carnitine supplementation in drinking water influences chick juvenile performance parameters and this is in relationship to yolk sac consumption and
blood biochemical parameters.
Key words
Layer chick, L-carnitine supplementation, yolk utilization,
production parameters
Zusammenfassung
Einfluss einer L-Carnitin-Zulage zum Trinkwasser
auf die Entwicklung von Legehennenküken in der
Starterphase
Bei jungen Küken kann der Zusatz von L-Carnitin in der
Starterphase den Verbrauch des Dottersacks beschleunigen und somit die Jugendentwicklung günstig beeinflussen. Zur Untersuchung der Zusammenhänge zwischen der
Verabreichung von L-Carnitin über das Trinkwasser und
der Entwicklung von Legeküken in der Starterphase wurden 684 Hisex Braun Eintagsküken verwendet. Die Küken
wurde auf drei Behandlungsgruppen mit je 228 Küken aufgeteilt: 1) Kontrolle (Cont), 2) Zusatz von 30 mg L-Carnitin/L Trinkwasser, 3) Zusatz von 60 mg L-Carnitin/L
Trinkwasser. Innerhalb der Behandlungsgruppen wurden
die Küken auf je zwei Wiederholungen a 112 Küken aufgeteilt und bis zum 14. Lebenstag aufgezogen. Am 1., 7. und
14. LT wurde von einer Stichprobe Blut gesammelt und das
Dottergewicht bestimmt.
Mit der Höhe des Zusatzes an L-Carnitin zum Trinkwasser nahm die Verwertung des Dottersacks signifikant
zu und die Morbidität sowie die Serum-Triglyzerid-Konzentration signifikant ab (P < 0,05). Der Rückgang der Serum-Triglyzerid-Konzentration hielt bis zum 14. Lebenstag
an, obwohl die L-Carnitin-Zulage nur bis zum 7. LT erfolgte. Die Serum-Gesamteiweiß-Konzentration war bei den
L-Carnitin-Behandlungen nur während der Zulageperiode
geringer und das Körpergewicht höher als bei der Kontrollgruppe (P < 0,05). Es kann daher der Schluss gezogen wer-
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Nouboukpo et al.: L-Carnitine supplementation and production parameters
den, dass eine Zulage von L-Carnitin zum Trinkwasser bei
Küken in den ersten Lebenstagen die Entwicklung günstig
beeinflusst. Diese Effekte sind beim Verbrauch des Dottersacks und anhand von Blutparametern sichtbar.
Stichworte
Legehennenküken, L-Carnitin-Zulage, Dotterverbrauch,
Entwicklung
Abbreviation keys
LC30: Chicks with supplementation of 30 mg of L-carnitine per liter of drinking water;
LC60: chicks with supplementation of 60 mg of L-carnitine
per liter of drinking water.
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Correspondence: K. Tona, Laboratory of Poultry Science, Faculty of Science,
University of Lome, B.P. 1515 Lome, Togo. E-mail: [email protected];
E. Decuypere, Laboratory for Physiology, Immunology and Genetics of
Domestic Animals, Department of Biosystems, K.U. Leuven, Belgium. E-mail:
[email protected]
Arch.Geflügelk. 2/2010