Effect of carnitine supplement to the dam on plasma carnitine concentration in the sucking foal.

This research article investigates the effect of a carnitine supplement given to mares on the carnitine concentration in both mare plasma and milk, as well as in the plasma of their suckling foals.

Study Design and Participants

• The researchers set out to examine the changes in plasma and milk carnitine levels over a three-month lactation period in a group of 14 broodmares and their young.
• These mares were divided into two groups: Group S, which included six mares that received a supplement of 10 grams of carnitine daily, starting two weeks prior to giving birth; and Group NS, which consisted of mares that did not receive any carnitine supplement.

Results and Observations

• At the time of birth, it was noted that the plasma carnitine concentration in the mares from Group S was roughly double the concentration present in those from Group NS.
• The researchers found that carnitine levels in both groups exhibited an initial decrease following birth, however, while this downward trend was reversed in the carnitine-supplemented mares (Group S), the levels in the unsupplemented group (Group NS) remained at a lower value for the duration of the study.
• Meanwhile, carnitine concentrations in the milk of both groups was seen to continuously fall throughout the monitoring period, and the authors observed no clear correlation between the carnitine levels in milk and plasma.
• In spite of the uncorrelated nature of milk and plasma carnitine levels, the concentration in milk appeared to be marginally higher in the supplemented mares group, although this difference wasn’t statistically significant.
• Notably, in the newborn foals, an immediate fall in plasma carnitine concentration was observed after birth. Much like with the mares, this trend was reversed in the foals of the supplemented mares but remained unchanged in those born to the unsupplemented mares.

Conclusion and Implications

• Importantly, the study reported no evident side effects from carnitine supplementation.
• These findings suggest that maternal supplementation of carnitine can effectively enhance the carnitine concentration in plasma both in the mares and their foals.
• This can potentially inform future dietary strategies for breeding mares and neonates in order to maintain appropriate carnitine levels and optimize health outcomes.