EFFECTS OF SUPPLEMENTAL DIETARY L-CARNITINE ON THE GROWTH AND BODY-COMPOSITION OF RAINBOW-TROUT (ONCORHYNCHUS-MYKISS) FED HIGH-FAT DIETS

In order to study the possible effects of supplemental dietary L-carnitine on the growth and body composition of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), a diet was used based on wheat gluten and crystalline amino acids as the sole sources of amino acids. The diet was fed either with or without supplementation of L-carnitine resulting in concentrations of 230 and less than or equal to 25 mg/kg dry matter, respectively. Four groups of 20 trout, each trout initially weighing 34 g, were fed one of the two diets for a period of 48 days. The final body mass of each trout was about 100 g. No significant differences were found in either the weight gain and feed intake of trout or in the concentration of protein and lipids in the weight gain.