Carnitine concentration in blood serum of pig in relation to the reproduction

In sows there is a characteristical relation between the status of reproduc tion and the concentration of plasma carnitine. As known in women the carni tine concentration decreases significantly during the first third of pregna ny (estrus 13,7 +/- 2,1 mu mol/l to 9,4 +/- 1,2 mu mol/l between 30. und 40 . day of pregnancy). But different to women the carnitine concentration in sows is already significantly increased at parturition (15,6 +/- 0,7 mu mol /l). During lactation the carnitine concentration remains on this high leve l. Similar to other species the carnitine concentrations in males are signi ficantly higher than in females. Linear correlations between carnitine conc entration and concentrations of metabolites of fat metabolism do not exist in the present study. In comparison to humans and other animal species pigs have relatively low c arnitine concentrations in blood serum. A close relation to the carnitine l evel of the diet exists obviously.