Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis>-Carnitine Supplementation in Sows |
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Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Klaus?EderEmail author |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Nutritional Sciences, University of Halle, Halle/Saale, Germany |
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Abstract: | Summary. In recent years L-carnitine has been used increasingly in animals. This review gives an overview of the effects of dietary L-carnitine supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on the reproductive performance of sows. In one investigation L-carnitine supplementation during pregnancy increased the number of piglets born to sows. Other studies showed heavier litters in sows supplemented with L-carnitine compared with control sows, and litters of L-carnitine supplemented sows gained more weight during the suckling period than litters of control sows. This effect might be due to more vigorous suckling by piglets of L-carnitine supplemented sows, causing the sows’ milk production to rise. At negative energy balance during lactation L-carnitine supplemented sows are able to mobilize more energy from adipose tissue, which can be used for the production of surplus milk. In conclusion, recent studies clearly show that dietary L-carnitine supplementation increases the reproductive performance of sows. This finding suggests that the amount of L-carnitine synthesized endogenously does not cover the requirement for maximum sow performance during pregnancy and lactation. |
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Keywords: | , L-Carnitine, Sow, Reproduction, Milk production, |
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