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Effect of Different Levels of Terbutaline and L-carnitine on the Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Blood Parameters and Immune System of Broiler Chickens

Fallah¹*, R., Nazari² , P. and Mirzaei³, E.

¹Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture,
²Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Basic Science, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran,
³Department of Veterinary Science, Boroujerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Boroujerd, Iran

Malaysian J. Anim. Sci. 2016 19(2): 57-69

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This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of Terbutaline and L-carnitine on the growth performance, carcass traits, blood parameters and immune system of broiler chickens. A total of 240 one-day old commercial Ross 308 broiler chickens were used in a completely randomized design study with four treatments :(1) control diet (no supplement), (2) basal diet supplemented with 20 mg Terbutaline per kg diet, (3) basal diet supplemented with L-carnitine 250 mg per kg diet and (4) basal diet supplemented with 10 mg Terbutaline per kg diet+L-carnitine 100 mg per kg diet, with six replicates per treatment. Addition of Terbutaline and L-carnitine was found to increase (p<0.05) body weight of chickens at 42 d of age in comparison to chickens in the control group. Significant differences (p<0.05) in feed intake was also observed between control and Terbutaline + L-carnitine treatments. Furthermore, the addition of Terbutaline and L-carnitine decreased (p<0.05) FCR in comparison to the control group. Broilers receiving Terbutaline and L-carnitine had higher liver, gizzard, spleen and bursa of Fabricius and lower abdominal fat relative to body weight compared to the control group. Birds which received Terbutaline and L-carnitine had the lowest total cholesterol, HDL and LDL concentrations in comparison to the control group. Birds receiving Terbutaline + L-carnitine had the highest anti body Influenza and Newcastle titres at 18 and 28 d compared to the other groups. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that Terbutaline and L-carnitine and its combination improved broiler performance, carcass characteristics by decreasing abdominal fat and enhanced immune system of broiler chickens at 42 d of age.