MitoCow - Effect of dietary L-carnitine on performance and selected blood parameters indicative for energy metabolism in dairy cows

摘要

Dairy cows are metabolically challenged during transition period by a drastic increase of energy demand for milk production on one hand and restricted feed intake capacity on the other hand. Parturition represents an inflammatory challenge. The degreeof energy deficit depends, amongst others, on the efficiency of mitochondrial R-oxidation, in which carnitine plays an important role. The present experiment was designed to test whether carnitine supplemented dairy cows are less affected by negative energy balance during transition period because of an increased efficiency of R-oxidation.