The effect of L-carnitine on body weight, body composition and nutrient intake in adult pigeons (Columba livia domestica)

After being fed a high-energy diet for 2 months, two female and two male gr oups of pigeons were put on a low-energy diet for 2 months. During this las t period one female and one male group received a drinking water supplement of 100 mg L-carnitine/pigeon/day. Four female and four male pigeons were e uthanised after the high-energy diet and the other animals were euthanised at the end for body analysis, The low-energy barley-based diet reduced body weight, increased the moistur e and crude protein content of the pigeons and decreased the crude fat and gross energy content. No significant effects were seen of L-carnitine on bo dy weight loss, body composition or feed intake. The L-carnitine supplement ed pigeons had significantly higher intakes of water which was surprising.