Evaluation of rumen protective effectiveness of L-carnitine, in vitro and in vivo

This study aimed to evaluate the rumen protective effectiveness of L-carnitine through in vitro tests, degradation tests and vivo tests. Twelve rumen-fistulated crossbred rams with similar body weights 55±3.6 kg ages 3±0.2 years old were divided into three treatment groups a 3×3 Latin square design, G1 (basal diet no additives), G2 (unprotected L-carnitine) or G3 (rumen-protected L-carnitine). Ruminal fluid blood samples collected before morning feeding on last day each experimental period (21 d). The percentage remaining simulated abomasum increased increase wall material ratio (P< 0.05). supplementation decreased plasma urea nitrogen concentration sheep resulted higher GSH-Px SOD activities as well T-AOC lower MDA concentrations than G1, difference was significant among 0.01). Thus, could be protected by encapsulation for certain time. Unprotected rumen-protected effectively enhanced antioxidant capacity sheep, supplemented that unprotected L-carnitine.