L-carnitina em dietas para juvenis de pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effect of L-carnitine supplementation on the productive performance of juveniles of pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus. 288 pacus (initial weight 9.62 ± 0.74 g), distributed in 24 aquaria of 0.5m3 with water recirculation system, were randomly distributed in six treatments and four replicates. Experimental diets (3,200 kcal kg-1 of ED and 23% PD) were supplemented with 0; 400; 800; 1,200; 1,600; 2,000 mg of L-carnitine.kg-1 of feed. The fish were fed four times daily until apparent satiety. After 128 days were evaluated: productive performance, carcass centesimal composition, intestinal histomorphometry, muscle and hepatic, and oxidative stress. The data were submitted to statistical analysis and to the Tukey average comparisons test at 5% significance. The hepatosomatic and viscerosomal fat indexes increased with the inclusion of L-carnitine. In the centesimal composition there was alteration in moisture, protein and ethereal extract. Intestinal histomorphometry revealed changes in villi with the inclusion of L-carnitine and increased lipid oxidation to TBARS. The supplementation of L-carnitine did not affect the performance of juvenile pacus, however, it promoted the increase of the hepatosomatic rate, visceral and corporal fat, alterations in intestinal histomorphometry and lipid oxidation in the hepatic tissue.