Effect of Different Dietary Levels of Atorvastatin and L-Carnitine on Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Plasma Constitutes of Broiler Chickens

• Published in: The Journal of Poultry Science Vol. 53; no. 3; pp. 201 - 207
• Main Authors: Golrokh, Alireza Jafari, Bouyeh, Mehrdad, Seidavi, Alireza, Hoven, René van den, Laudadio, Vito, Tufarelli, Vincenzo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ibaraki Japan Poultry Science Association 2016; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: atorvastatin; blood; broiler; fat; growth; L-carnitine; muscle
• ISSN: 1346-7395; 1349-0486
• DOI: 10.2141/jpsa.0150184

The effects of L-carnitine, atorvastatin and their combination on growth and lipid metabolism of broiler chickens is not yet known. Thus, the objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of dietary L-carnitine and atorvastatin on the performance, carcass characteristics and blood parameters in broilers. Different dietary levels of L-carnitine (0, 150 and 300 mg/kg, respectively) and atorvastatin (0, 1 and 2 g/kg, respectively) were added to the daily birds’ ration. Significant positive effects (P<0.05) on broiler body weight for both L-carnitine and atorvastatin were reported, and this effect became clear starting from the 4th week of rearing period till the slaughter age. Dietary treatments had also significant (P<0.05) positive effects on broilers empty carcass, breast and drumstick weights. Conversely, L-carnitine slightly increased abdominal fat, whereas supplementing atorvastatin slightly reduced it (P<0.05). However, Combining the treatments, resulted in reduction of abdominal fat pad, showing also the best development of breast and drumstick muscles (P<0.05). Moreover, the weight of gizzard, liver and heart were significantly higher in birds treated with the highest doses supplied (P<0.05). Dietary treatments had also influence on blood biochemical parameters of broilers. In overall, our findings suggest that combining dietary L-carnitine and atorvastatin supported birds growth and muscles development reducing the body fat deposition. However, further studies are needed to deeply study the potential effect of statins on meat quality.