The Effects of Dietary L-Carnitine and Gemfibrozil on Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Cholesterol and Triglycerides in Broiler Chicks

Abstract

Gemfibrozil and L-carnitine are involved in fatty acid metabolism. We assessed the impact of administering gemfibrozil together with L-carnitine on the performance, lipid redistribution, intramuscular fat, and carcass quality in broiler chickens. Day-old male Ross 308 chicks were randomly divided among nine treatments, with three replicates per treatment. There were of 10 chicks in each replicate. The experiment involved a 3×3 factorial arrangement of treatments, with three levels of L-carnitine, in combination with three levels of gemfibrozil. Body weight, feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were obtained weekly from 3 to 6 weeks of age. At the end of the experimental period, the chicks were sacrificed and carcass and blood samples were obtained for various measures. There were interactions between L-carnitine and gemfibrozil on weight gain, feed intake, FCR, full and empty abdominal carcass weights, breast and wing weights, abdominal fat weight, heart weight and triglyceride concentration (P>0.05). The presence of dietary L-carnitine and gemfibrozil together reduced the weight gain, feed intake, abdominal fat weight and triglyceride concentration. Conversely, combinations of L-carnitine and gemfibrozil significantly increased the heart weight. There were no effects of L-carnitine and gemfibrozil on eviscerated carcass weight nor on liver weight. Dietary L-carnitine and gemfibrozil together influence measures of performance, fat distribution and carcass quality in broiler chickens.