Effect of different dietary energy and L- carnitine levels on performance, carcass characteristics and serum composition of Japanese quail

To investigate the effect of different levels of energy and L-carnitine on growth indices in Japanese quail، an experiment was carried out using 480 quail in a two way factorial arrangement on completely randomized design with two levels of energy (2900 and 3100 kcal/kg) and three levels of L-carnitine (0، 250 and 500 mg/kg). Four replicates with 20 quails were allocated to each experimental treatment and birds were reared for 45 days. At the end of experiment، two birds from each experimental unit (with average weight of that pen) were slaughtered to collect blood samples and determine carcass characteristics. The results showed that there were no significant differences in weight gain، feed intake and feed conversion ratio between experimental treatments (p>0. 05). The effect of various levels of energy on breast and abdominal fat percentage were significant (p<0. 05). Quails fed rations containing 3100 kcal/kg ME had higher breast and abdominal fat percentage compared to those that received 2900 kcal/kg ME (p<0. 05). Adding of L-carnitine (250 mg/kg of diet) significantly reduced the amount of abdominal fat (p<0. 05). The amount of blood cholesterol and triglyceride were elevated in quails fed a high ME diet (3100 kcal/kg of diet) compared to those on a low ME diet (2900 kcal/kg of diet) (p<0. 05). Quails fed rations containing L-carnitine supplementation (250 mg/kg of diet) had lower triglyceride in comparison with control group (p<0. 05). Therefore، it can be concluded that the supplementation of diet with L-carnitine (250 mg/kg of diet) has positive effects on blood triglyceride and carcass quality in Japanese quail.