Effect of L-carnitine Supplementation in Gestating and Lactating Diets on Sow Performances

Abstract

An on- farm feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of L-carnitine supplementation in gestating and lactating diets on total litter weight (TLW) and performances of sows from farrowing to weaning. Thirty Large White x Landrace (LWLR) sow (parity 3-5) consisting of 15 animals each in the treatment and the control groups were included in the study. The feeding trial started 24 days after mating and pregnancy confirmation was conducted by ultra-sound scanning. During gestation, the treatment groups were supplemented with L-carnitine (LCS) at 150 mg /sow/day and during lactation at 350 mg /sow/day. The control sows (C) received normal farm diet. As compared to C diets, LCS diets had a significant increase (P< 0.01) in TLW at 12 ± 1 h (TLW12) and at 36 ± 1 h (TLW36) after farrowing and at weaning (TLWw). No significant effect (P >0.05) of LCS diet was observed on number born alive (NBA). However, a significant decrease (P<0.03) was found on number of stillborn (SB) piglets as compared to C diet. Significant increases (P<0.04) in pre-weaning survival (PWS) of litters and litter size at weaning (LSw) were found in the sows fed on LCS diets as compared to those fed on C diets. In addition, a significant increased (P<0.02) in back fat (BF) thickness at farrowing was observed in sows fed on LCS diet compared to those fed on C diet. In conclusion, LCS diets have a beneficial effect on increasing TLW and sow performances under commercial farm conditions.