KAFKAS UNIVERSITESI VETERINER FAKULTESI DERGISI, vol.14, no.1, pp.9-12, 2008 (SCI-Expanded)
This study investigated the effect of L-carnitine on IgG and GGT levels in cows receiving L-carnitine during the last three weeks of pregnancy and on the parturition and their newborn calves. The study involved 20 cows and their calves. Animals were divided into two equal groups; cows in L-carnitine group subcutaneously received 3 injections of 1g/cow/day of L-carnitine weekly intervals during the last three weeks of gestation, at the parturition (0 day) and control group received placebo during the same period. All cows and newborn calves were blood sampled on the 1 and 3 days after birth in order to determine IgG, total protein and albumine and GGT concentrations. The concentrations of IgG, total protein, albumine, and GGT. The values were similar in cows of both groups but calves in L-carnitine group had higher GGT levels on day 1 and 3 and IgG level on day 3 whereas IgG level was higher in control calves on day 1. As a result, L-carnitine injection in pregnant cows did not cause a significant change in IgG, GGT, total protein and albumine levels in cows and their newborn calves.