Gpj. Janssens et al., The effect of L-carnitine on body weight, body composition and nutrient intake in adult pigeons (Columba livia domestica), ARCH GEFLUG, 64(1), 2000, pp. 29-33
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.