Effect of dietary l‐carnitine supplementation and energy level on oxidant/antioxidant balance in laying hens subjected to high stocking density

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of l‐carnitine and energy level and on oxidant/antioxidant balance in laying hens subjected to high stocking density. A total of 176, 32‐week‐old laying hens were assigned to eight groups with four replicates and hens in four groups were placed at the normal stocking densities of 500 cm2/hen (four hens per cage) and in the remaining four groups were placed at the high stocking densities of 287.5 cm2/hen (seven hens per cage). Hens received diets of high (2,850 kcal/kg ME) or normal (2,650 kcal/kg ME) energy which are supplemented with 0 or 200 mg/kg l‐carnitine for 70 days. Results showed that exposure to high stocking density increased (p < .05) plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels and decreased (p < .05) erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (GPx) activities. l‐carnitine supplementation increased (p < .05) erythrocyte SOD, CAT and GPx activities, and decreased (p <.05) MDA and NO level in high stocking densities. The oxidan/antioxidan balance of birds was not influenced by increasing dietary energy level. The results of the present study indicate that the supplementation of l‐carnitine to the birds subjected to high stocking density could effectively reverse the negative effects of high stocking density by improving oxidant/antioxidant balance. Therefore, l‐carnitine supplementation at level of 200 mg/kg to diet may be as a favourable alternative to deal with oxidative stress caused by high stocking density in laying hens.

The effects of L-carnitine-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles on performance, antioxidant parameters, and expression of genes associated with cholesterol metabolism in laying hens

“…The results obtained in the current study demonstrated that adding the lowest level of LC-SLNs (50 mg/kg) to the diet, significantly improved erythrocyte SOD activity and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC); which could be attributed to the high bioavailability of LC-SLNs. Previous research found that supplementing with LC increased SOD activity at high stocking density challenged laying hens ( Çetin and Güçlü, 2020 ) and broiler ( Liu et al, 2021 ) which is similar to our findings. These findings suggest that LC plays an important role in antioxidant defense control.…”

“…We envision that the improvement in villus condition is linked to the increased level of IGF-1. Also, as mentioned earlier, due to the antioxidant properties of LC ( Çetin and Güçlü, 2020 ), it improves antioxidant capacity. We envision that LC may alleviate GPx and SOD depletion as well as lower MDA activity levels in laying hen intestinal tissues.…”

Potential for the development of Taraxacum mongolicum aqueous extract as a phytogenic feed additive for poultry

“…Long-term intake of high-energy-density feed during breeding will cause peroxidation in livestock and poultry (blood and tissues), and then affect the occurrence and process of inflammation ( 63 – 65 ). Exogenous antioxidant supplementation in the right amount can enhance the capacity of the antioxidant system in vivo , on the contrary, excessive antioxidants can also disrupt homeostasis ( 66 , 67 ).…”

Synthetic and phytogenic antioxidants improve productive performance, antioxidant activity, gene expression, and offspring quality in breeder hens subjected to heat stress

“…Furthermore, the use of L-carnitine is gaining attention for its crucial role as a novel antioxidant via preventing DNA damage induced by ROS, stimulating antioxidant enzyme activities, and supporting energy production in laying hens ( Surai, 2015 ; Agarwal et al, 2018 ). Dietary L-carnitine supplementation in poultry decreases malondialdehyde ( MDA ) levels and increases SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities under high stocking density stress ( Çetin and Güçlü, 2019 ). In addition, some studies have reported improved egg production, hatchability, antioxidant activity, and offspring quality in laying hens and duck breeders fed L-carnitine ( Salmanzadeh, 2011 ; Wang et al, 2013 ; Awad et al, 2017 ).…”