Effects of the combination of 50 ppm L-carnitine and 200 ppb chromium from chromium picolinate on sow reproductive performance, progeny growth performance and carcass quality

Abstract Text: Sows and gilts (n=254, PIC 29) from three consecutive breeding groups were blocked by parity and initial BW, and randomly assigned to one of two dietary treatment regimens: Control or Control with 50 ppm L-carnitine and 200 ppb chromium (CARNICHROME). Sows were rebred after weaning, and remained on the same dietary treatment. Feed was provided during gestation based on a consistent daily feeding of approximately 2.2 kg/d (3.3 kcal ME/kg, 0.65% SID lysine) with adjustments made depending on body condition. Feed (3.3 kcal ME/kg, 1.07% SID lysine) was provided to meet each sow’s appetite during lactation. Progeny (n=288) (Exp. 2) from the subsequent farrowing of group 2 was sorted by dam’s treatment, blocked by initial BW (6.49±0.34 kg) and sex, allotted within block to 1 of 4 gender-balanced pens, and assigned randomly to 1 of 2 dietary treatment regimens, the Control or CARNICHROME in diets (3.4 kcal ME/kg) with SID lysine content of 1.47 %, 1.43 %, and 1.29 % in phase 1, 2, and 3, respectively. At completion of the nursery study, the 9 heaviest blocks were transferred to finishing barn to continue the same treatments during the growing (1.05 to 0.88% SID lysine and 3.3 kcal ME/kg) and finishing phases (0.75 to 0.65% SID lysine and 3.4 kcal ME/kg). Sows fed CARNICHROME tended to have 8% less (P = 0.07) backfat at d 110 of gestation, 33 and 29% reduction (P <0.06) in backfat change during gestation and at the end of lactation, 10% increase (P = 0.03) in ADFI during the 3^rd week of lactation, and 11% fewer (P = 0.04) pigs weaned with BW < 3.6 kg. During the nursery phase, ADG and ADFI were reduced (P < 0.05) in progeny from sows fed CARNICHROME (P < 0.05), but were similar in growing/finishing period and for the overall post-weaning period. G:F was similar (P > 0.32) among the treatments post-weaning. Carcass of progeny from CARNICHROME -fed sows had a 1% greater percent lean (P = 0.02), and a 6% reduction (P = 0.06) in 10^th rib fat depth, but carcass quality did not differ (P > 0.10) among treatments. Results suggested that CARNICHROME reduced changes in 10^th rib backfat of sows, improved lactation intake, and subsequently improved carcass composition of progeny; however, supplemental CARNICHROME to progeny did not elicit additional improvements in growth performance and carcass quality.    

Keywords: L-carnitine and chromium picolinate, reproductive performance