Carry-over influence of maternal L-carnitine during gestation and lactation on metabolic response of New Zealand neonatal rabbits.
8 affiliations
- 1College of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan.
- 2Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye.
- 3Department of Zoology, College of Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
- 4Department of Zoology, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
- 5Doping Research Chair, Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
- 6Institute of Research and Consulting, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia.
- 7Department of Food and Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN 37209, USA.
- 8Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (DIVAS), University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of maternal L-carnitine supplementation on the growth performance, metabolic profile, and physiological responses of neonatal rabbits. A total of 160 5-month-old nulliparous pregnant New Zealand White does (2.84 ± 0.05 kg) were randomly assigned to four treatments: control (no supplementation) and L-carnitine-supplemented groups at 100, 200, and 300 mg L⁻¹ in drinking water. Supplementation was provided throughout gestation and lactation to assess maternal carry-over effects on offspring. Neonatal growth performance was monitored through litter size, body weight, and average daily gain (ADG). Blood samples from neonates were collected during weeks 1, 2, and 3 for biochemical, hormonal, and oxidative stress analyses. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA under a completely randomised design. Results showed that maternal L-carnitine supplementation improved litter performance and neonatal growth, with the highest body weight and ADG observed in the 300 mg L⁻¹ group. Serum glucose levels were significantly elevated in the highest supplementation group across all weeks. Cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were not significantly affected. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were reduced in the LC-300 group during later weeks, suggesting improved hepatic status. Cortisol levels remained unchanged among treatments. However, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) concentrations were significantly enhanced, particularly at higher supplementation levels, indicating improved metabolic activity. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were not significantly influenced, suggesting no adverse effect on oxidative status. In conclusion, maternal L-carnitine supplementation, particularly at 300 mg L⁻¹, enhances the growth performance and metabolic efficiency of neonatal rabbits without negatively affecting physiological health.
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BibTeX
@article{shah2026carryover,
title = {{Carry-over influence of maternal L-carnitine during gestation and lactation on metabolic response of New Zealand neonatal rabbits.}},
author = {Shahzada Khurram Adrian Shah and Hamayun Khan and İsmail Ülger and Rasha Alonaizan and Shabana Naz and Suliman Alomar and Noha A Tashkandi and Ala Abudabos and Luciana Rossi and Rifat Ullah Khan},
journal = {Archives animal breeding},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.5194/aab-69-585-2026},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42903394},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Carry-over influence of maternal L-carnitine during gestation and lactation on metabolic response of New Zealand neonatal rabbits.
AU - Shahzada Khurram Adrian Shah
AU - Hamayun Khan
AU - İsmail Ülger
AU - Rasha Alonaizan
AU - Shabana Naz
AU - Suliman Alomar
AU - Noha A Tashkandi
AU - Ala Abudabos
AU - Luciana Rossi
AU - Rifat Ullah Khan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/19
JO - Archives animal breeding
DO - 10.5194/aab-69-585-2026
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42903394
AB - This study evaluated the effects of maternal L-carnitine supplementation on the growth performance, metabolic profile, and physiological responses of neonatal rabbits. A total of 160 5-month-old nulliparous pregnant New Zealand White does (2.84 ± 0.05 kg) were randomly assigned to four treatments: control (no supplementation) and L-carnitine-supplemented groups at 100, 200, and 300 mg L⁻¹ in drinking water. Supplementation was provided throughout gestation and lactation to assess maternal carry-over effects on offspring. Neonatal growth performance was monitored through litter size, body weight, and average daily gain (ADG). Blood samples from neonates were collected during weeks 1, 2, and 3 for biochemical, hormonal, and oxidative stress analyses. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA under a completely randomised design. Results showed that maternal L-carnitine supplementation improved litter performance and neonatal growth, with the highest body weight and ADG observed in the 300 mg L⁻¹ group. Serum glucose levels were significantly elevated in the highest supplementation group across all weeks. Cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were not significantly affected. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were reduced in the LC-300 group during later weeks, suggesting improved hepatic status. Cortisol levels remained unchanged among treatments. However, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) concentrations were significantly enhanced, particularly at higher supplementation levels, indicating improved metabolic activity. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were not significantly influenced, suggesting no adverse effect on oxidative status. In conclusion, maternal L-carnitine supplementation, particularly at 300 mg L⁻¹, enhances the growth performance and metabolic efficiency of neonatal rabbits without negatively affecting physiological health.
SN - 2363-9822
ER -