Elsevier

Journal of Dairy Science

Volume 89, Issue 12, December 2006, Pages 4819-4834
Journal of Dairy Science

Article
Metabolic Effects of Abomasal l-Carnitine Infusion and Feed Restriction in Lactating Holstein Cows1

https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(06)72531-0Get rights and content
Under an Elsevier user license
open archive

Abstract

l-Carnitine is required for mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, but the effects of carnitine supplementation on nutrient metabolism during dry matter intake depression have not been determined in dairy cows. Studies in other species have revealed responses to l-carnitine that may be of specific benefit to dairy cows during the periparturient period. Eight lactating Holstein cows (132 ± 36 d in milk) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square experiment with 14-d periods. Treatments were factorial combinations of abomasal infusion of either water or l-carnitine (20 g/d; d 5 to 14) and either ad libitum or restricted intake (50% of previous 5-d dry matter intake; d 10 to 14) of a balanced lactation diet. Liver and muscle biopsies were obtained on d 14 of each period. Feed restriction induced negative balances of energy and metabolizable protein. In feed-restricted cows, carnitine infusion increased 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield compared with those infused with water. Total carnitine concentration in liver was increased in feed-restricted cows infused with carnitine but not in feed-restricted cows infused with water. Carnitine infusion stimulated in vitro oxidation of [1-14C] palmitate to acid-soluble products and decreased the proportion of [1-14C] palmitate that was converted to esterified products by liver slices. Feed-restricted cows infused with carnitine had lower liver total lipid concentration and tended to have decreased triglyceride accumulation compared with feed-restricted cows infused with water. Plasma nonesterified fatty acid concentration was not altered by carnitine infusion but was increased by feed restriction; serum β-hydroxybutyric acid was increased by carnitine infusion in feed-restricted cows. In cows fed for ad libitum intake, carnitine infusion affected β-hydroxybutyric acid, insulin, and urea N in serum, liver glycogen concentration, and in vitro alanine oxidation by liver slices, suggesting that hepatic and peripheral nutrient metabolism was influenced. l-Carnitine infusion effectively decreased liver lipid accumulation during feed restriction as a result of greater capacity for hepatic fatty acid oxidation. Further research examining dietary supplementation of l-carnitine during the periparturient period is warranted.

Key words

l-carnitine
hepatic metabolism
fatty liver
dairy cow

Cited by (0)

1

Supported by Lonza, Inc., Allendale, NJ.

2

D. B. Carlson was supported by a Jonathan Baldwin Turner Graduate Fellowship, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois.

3

Present address: Animal Science Department, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078.

4

Present address: William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute, Chazy, NY 12921.