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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Mississippi State, Mississippi » Poultry Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #167584
Title: BREEDER HEN AND BROILER DIETARY CARNITINE: CARRY-OVER AND DIETARY EFFECTS ON PROGENY GROWTH AND CARCASS TRAITS

Author
item KIDD, M - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
item MCDANIEL, C - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
item PEEBLES, E - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
item BARBER, S - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
item CORZO, A - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
item Branton, Scott

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/10/2004
Publication Date: 7/25/2004
Citation: Kidd, M.T., Mcdaniel, C.D., Peebles, E.D., Barber, S.J., Corzo, A., Branton, S.L. 2004. Breeder hen and broiler dietary carnitine: carry-over and dietary effects on progeny growth and carcass traits. Poultry Science Association Meeting. v. 83(Suppl. 1). Abstract W6. p. 316.

Interpretive Summary: abstract only, no summary required

Technical Abstract: L-carnitine is involved in energy metabolism and membrane function: specifically that of long-chain fatty acid transfer into mitochondria and subsequent oxidation. Although Lys and Met are its precursors for in vivo synthesis, its content in grains, of which constitute a large portion of poultry diets, is thought to be limited. Ross 308 breeder hens were fed (beginning at 21 wk) test diets (0 or 25 mg L-carnitine/kg of diet), and progeny (via insemination with Ross males) were evaluated at 30, 35, and 37 wk of age representing Experiments (Exp)1, 2, and 3, respectively. Breeder pen was progeny experimental unit. All progeny were feather sexed at hatch. In Exp 1, chicks were placed in batteries (d 1 to 35) and treatments (16 replications with two subplots each) consisted of hen diet and progeny gender. In Exp 2, chicks were placed in floor pens (d 1 to 42) and treatments (32 replications with four subplots each) consisted of hen diet, progeny gender, and progeny diet (0 or 50 mg L-carnitine/kg of diet). In Exp 3, chicks were placed in floor pens equally by gender (d 1 to 42) and treatments (16 replications with two subplots each) consisted of hen diet and progeny diets (high or low nutrient density). Live performance and carcass traits were measured. Females had less (P < 0.05) BW gain and breast meat, but more (P < 0.05) abdominal fat and breast yield than males in Exp 1 and 2. Hen diet did not affect live performance, but hens supplemented with L-carnitine had progeny with reduced (P < 0.05) abdominal fat in Exp 3. Increasing nutrient density increased (P < 0.05) BW gain and carcass weights in Exp 3. Dietary L-carnitine (hen and progeny) increased (P < 0.05) male mortality. Additional interactive results indicated that L-carnitine in the hen diet decreased (P = 0.07) carcass fat and increased (P = 0.10) breast meat in the presence of high nutrient density. In conclusion, dietary hen L-carnitine impacted carcass traits of progeny.