饲粮中添加杜仲叶对断奶仔猪生长性能、抗氧化力和免疫功能的影响

在断奶仔猪饲粮中添加不同形式的杜仲叶,研究其对仔猪生长性能、腹泻率、抗氧化力及免疫功能的影响,以评估它们在养殖初期替代抗生素的能力。将断奶仔猪(杜×长×大)随机分成对照组、抗生素组(75 mg/kg金霉素)和三个杜仲叶组(杜仲叶提取物、发酵杜仲叶、杜仲叶干粉),每组10头,进行28天养殖试验。结果表明:与对照相比,杜仲叶提取物组仔猪平均日增重(ADG)显著提高并降低料重比(F/G)(P<0.05);与抗生素组相比,杜仲叶提取物组和杜仲叶发酵组ADG和F/G均无显著差异(P>0.05);各组之间平均日采食量(ADFI)差异不显著(P>0.05)。与对照组相比,抗生素组和杜仲叶提取物组仔猪腹泻率显著降低(P<0.05)。与对照组相比,抗生素组和三种杜仲叶组均降低仔猪血液丙二醛含量和提高总抗氧化力(P<0.01),而抗生素组、杜仲叶提取物组和杜仲叶发酵组还显著提高血液免疫球蛋白IgM含量(P<0.01),且表现出提高血液IgG含量的趋势(P=0.06)。与其他各组相比,杜仲叶提取物组可显著提高肝脏指数(P<0.05);肝脏重量、脾脏重量和脾脏指数在各组之间无显著差异(P>0.05)。饲粮中添加杜仲叶提取物可改善断奶仔猪的生长性能,降低腹泻率,提高仔猪抗氧化力和免疫功能,其效果优于发酵杜仲叶和杜仲叶干粉,并具备一定的抗生素替代潜力。     

Effects of dietary grape pomace on the intestinal microbiota and growth performance of weaned piglets

ABSTRACT

Grape pomace (GP) is an abundant by-product from wine production and is rich in phenolic compounds, unsaturated fatty acids, dietary fibre and beneficial bacteria. In this study, weaned piglets were fed a basic diet supplemented with 5% GP for 4 weeks. Compared with those in the control (CON) group, it was found that the proportion of Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Olsenella umbonata and Selenomonas bovis in the caecum and the villus height and villus height/crypt depth ratio (VCR) of the jejunum were both significantly increased in the GP group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, at the mRNA expression level, several proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-α) were significantly downregulated (p < 0.05) in piglet caecal tissue, and the short-chain fatty acid receptors (GPR41 and GPR43) were not significantly upregulated. In contrast, the levels of IgG was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the sera of weaned piglets in the GP group. However, no difference in growth performance between the two groups of piglets was detected. These results show that GP had no adverse effects on the growth performance of piglets, but GP can promote the content of some beneficial bacteria in the caecum; this effect is conducive to improving the disease resistance potential of piglets.     

Effects of dietary 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 supplementation on growth performance,immune function and antioxidative capacity in weaned piglets

The study evaluated the effects of different doses of 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25(OH)D₃) on growth performance, immune function and antioxidative capacity in piglets. In a 21-d trial, 35 weaned pigs were divided into five groups and diets were supplemented with 5.5 (control), 43.0, 80.5, 118.0 and 155.5 μg 25(OH)D₃/kg, respectively. No treatment effects were observed for average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed to gain ratio. Increasing dietary 25(OH)D₃ levels increased serum 25(OH)D₃ concentrations linearly (p < 0.01), decreased the frequency of CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T cells (p < 0.01), and the serum level of complement component 3 (p < 0.05). Supplementation of 80.5 and 118.0 μg 25(OH)D₃/kg enhanced the activity of serum glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.05) and addition of 43.0 μg 25(OH)D₃/kg increased the malondialdehyde concentration (p < 0.05). Overall, feeding high-dose 25(OH)D₃ to weaned pigs partly improved immune functions and the antioxidative capacity.     

Effects of dietary addition of heat-killed Mycobacterium phlei on growth performance,immune status and anti-oxidative capacity in early weaned piglets

The contradiction between high susceptibility of early weaned piglets to enteric pathogens and rigid restriction of antibiotic use in the diet is still prominent in the livestock production industry. To address this issue, the study was designed to replace dietary antibiotics partly or completely by an immunostimulant, namely heat-killed Mycobacterium phlei (M. phlei). Piglets (n = 192) were randomly assigned to one of the four groups: (1) basal diet (Group A), (2) basal diet + a mixture of antibiotics (80 mg/kg diet, Group B), (3) basal diet + a mixture of antibiotics (same as in Group B, but 40 mg/kg diet) + heat-killed M. phlei (1.5 g/kg diet) (Group C) and (4) basal diet + heat-killed M. phlei (3 g/kg diet) (Group D). All piglets received the respective diets from days 21 to 51 of age and were weaned at the age of 28 d. Compared with the Control (Group A), in all other groups the average daily gain, average daily feed intake, small intestinal villus height:crypt depth ratio and protein levels of occludin and ZO-1 in the jejunal mucosa were increased. A decreased incidence of diarrhoea in conjunction with an increased sIgA concentration in the intestinal mucosa and serum IL-12 and IFN-γ concentrations was found in groups supplemented with heat-killed M. phlei (Groups C and D), but not in Group B. Groups C and D also showed decreased IL-2 concentrations in the intestinal mucosa with lower TLR4 and phosphor-IκB protein levels. The antioxidant capacity was reinforced in Groups C and D, as evidenced by the reduction in malondialdehyde and enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes in serum. These data indicate that heat-killed M. phlei is a promising alternative to antibiotic use for early weaned piglets via induction of protective immune responses.     

Effects of a dietary crude fibre concentrate on growth in weaned piglets

Many fibre sources can help the adaptation of piglets at weaning, improving the growth. In this study, the effects of a dietary crude fibre concentrate (CFC) on piglet’s growth was investigated. From 31 to 51 days of age, 108 weaned piglets (D×(Lw×L)), had access to two isofibrous, isoenergetic and isonitrogenous diets, supplemented with 1% of CFC (CFC group) or not (control (CON) group). From days 52 to 64 all piglets received the same starter diet. During the dietary treatment period the CFC group showed higher average daily gain, average daily feed intake and feed efficiency (P<0.001) than CON group. At 64 days of age, BW was higher in CFC group compared with CON group (P<0.001). Blood samples were collected at days 31, 38, 45 and 52 of age. From days 31 to 52 significant differences in the somatotropic axis between groups were observed. In particular, growth hormone levels were higher only at the end of the 1^st week of dietary treatment (P<0.05) in CFC group animals compared with CON group animals. The IGF-I trend was similar between groups even if the IGF-I levels were higher in the CFC group than CON group 1 week after starting treatment (P<0.01). The IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) levels were higher in the first 2 weeks of dietary treatment and lower in the 3^rd week in CON group compared with CFC group (P<0.01). Specifically, the IGFBP-3 profile was consistent with that of IGF-I in CFC group but not in CON group. At the same time, an increase of leptin in CFC compared with CON group was observed (P<0.05). Piglets fed the CFC diet showed a lower diarrhoea incidence (P<0.05) and a lower number of antibiotic interventions (P<0.05) than CON diet from 31 to 51 days of age. Pig-major acute-phase protein plasma level (P<0.01) and interleukin-6 gene expression (P<0.05) were higher in CON group than CFC group at the end of 1^st week of dietary treatment. In conclusion, this study showed that CFC diet influences the hormones related to energy balance enhancing the welfare and growth of piglets. Furthermore, the increase in feed intake during 3 weeks of dietary treatment improved the feed efficiency over the entire post-weaning period.     

Effects of dietary allicin on health and growth performance of weanling piglets and reduction in attractiveness of faeces to flies

To investigate the effect of dietary allicin on health and growth performance of weanling piglets, at 21 days of age. Two hundred and twenty-five piglets were weaned and randomly allocated into five groups. Piglets in the control group were fed diets supplemented with antibiotics. Those in the treatment groups were fed diets without antibiotics, but supplemented with allicin product (25% pure allicin oil) in the proportion of 0.10 g/kg, 0.15 g/kg, 0.20 g/kg and 0.25 g/kg in the diet, respectively. During the 28 days of the experiment, average daily weight gain increased linearly (P < 0.0001) and quadratically (P = 0.0014) as the level of dietary allicin increased. The feed gain ratio decreased linearly (P < 0.0001) and quadratically (P < 0.0001). As the dietary allicin level increased, the incidence of diarrhoea in the treatment piglets, especially female piglets decreased linearly (P = 0.0003) and tended to decrease quadratically (P = 0.0716). The number of flies alighting on the surface of the faeces of the piglets at each counting time point decreased linearly (P < 0.0001), quadratically (P < 0.0001) and cubically (P < 0.0001) as the dietary allicin level increased. In conclusion, supplementation of the diet with allicin may improve growth performance, reduce the incidence of diarrhoea and possibly improve their local environmental conditions by reducing the attractiveness of faeces to flies.     

Effect of dietary tea polyphenols on growth performance and cell-mediated immune response of post-weaning piglets under oxidative stress

To gain insights into the effects of tea polyphenols (TP) on growth performance and cell-mediated immune response of piglets under oxidative stress, an oxidative stress model was established by intraperitoneally injecting weaned piglets with diquat. After intake of either basal diet or TP-supplemented diet for 7 d, half of the piglets in each group were challenged with diquat. Results showed that dietary TP alleviated growth depression to some extent. A T lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) demonstrated that TP promoted the proliferation and activation of T lymphocytes. The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ was elevated, indicating a recovering tendency from immune damages caused by oxidative stress. The increment of pro-inflammatory IL-1 caused by oxidative stress was attenuated, and the concentration of serum IFN-γ was decreased by TP-supplementation. However, the serum concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokine, such as IL-4, were greatly enhanced by TP, which suggested an immune shift from Th1 to Th2. These findings supported the immunomodulatory potential of TP for piglets subjected to oxidative stress.     

Effects of soybean hulls and lignocellulose on performance,nutrient digestibility,microbial metabolites and immune response in piglets

ABSTRACT

A feeding trial with 96 piglets was performed to investigate the effect of added soluble (SDF) and insoluble dietary fibre (IDF) sources on performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), concentration of microbial metabolites and pro-inflammatory marker genes as indicators for immune response. Piglets were allotted to four treatments (T): T1 control, T2 with soybean hulls (IDF/SDF: 8.35) and T3 and T4 with two different kinds of lignocellulose (IDF/SDF: >70). Diets were isofibrous for their value of total dietary fibre to underline the particular physicochemical properties of fibre sources. No differences were observed regarding average daily feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio and body weight, while T2 expressed higher ADG in the grower phase (day 14-54) vs. T3. Soybean hulls (T2) resulted in higher ATTD of dry matter and organic matter vs. T4; ether extract vs. T1 and neutral detergent fibre vs. T1, T2 and T3. The concentration of short chain fatty acids did not differ among treatments. Ileal digesta in T2 generated higher amounts of cadaverine vs. T3 and T4, likewise T1 vs. T4. Finally, no impact on immune response was detected. In conclusion, soybean hulls affected ATTD positively and lignocellulose prevented the formation of cadaverine, no overall direct response of SDF nor of IDF for the inclusion level were observed.     

Effects of soybean glycinin on performance and immune function in early weaned pigs

Glycinin, a major storage protein in soybean, has been identified as an important food allergen. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of soybean glycinin on the local and systemic immune responses using a swine model specific for glycinin allergy. Performance, peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation and CD4⁺ and CD8⁺  subsets in the plasma of naive and sensitised piglets were determined. In addition, the concentrations of IgA, IgG, IgM, interleukin-4 and interleukin-6 in the jejunum mucosa were measured. Our results showed that dietary supplementation of glycinin reduced piglet performance (p < 0.05), while increasing lymphocyte proliferation and CD4⁺/CD8⁺  ratio (p < 0.01). Intestinal mucosal immune responses to glycinin were enhanced with high levels of IgA (p < 0.01) as well as interleukin-4 and interleukin-6 in the jejunum mucosa in glycinin-treated piglets compared with the control (p < 0.01). There were no differences due to treatment in the densities of IgG and IgM. In conclusion, it was found that glycinin stimulated local and systemic immune responses in allergic piglets and had negative effects on piglet performance. The severity of the immune reactions depends on the dose of glycinin with higher doses causing more severe symptoms.     

Effects of Lactobacillus casei and Enterococcus faecalis on growth performance,immune function and gut microbiota of suckling piglets

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of orally administrated Lactobacillus casei and Enterococcus faecalis on performance, immune function and gut microbiota of suckling piglets. Neonatal piglets (n = 120) were randomly assigned to 4 groups, with 30 suckling piglets in each group. The piglets were from 15 litters, one male and one female piglet were selected for each group in each litter. The Control group was administrated with normal saline, the other groups with L. casei or E. faecalis or a combination of L. casei and E. faecalis at a ratio of 3:1. Each piglet was orally administrated with 1, 2, 3 and 4 ml probiotics or normal saline at the age of 1, 7, 14 and 21 d, respectively. The piglets were weaned at the age of 21 d. The results showed that compared with the Control group, the average daily gain of piglets administrated with probiotics was significantly increased, and the diarrhoea rate and mortality were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). After supplementation of the combined probiotics, the protease activity in stomach, duodenum and colon was increased and in all supplemented groups, the immunoglobulin A concentration in plasma was significantly higher (p < 0.05). The combined probiotics significantly increased villus length and the expression level of transforming growth factor-β in the jejunum (p < 0.05) but decreased the expression level of the jejunal tumour necrosis factor-α (p < 0.05). In addition, probiotics could regulate gut microbiota and increase microbial similarity coefficients for keeping piglet gut microbiota stable.     

Effects of dietary chromium chloride supplementation on performance,some serum parameters,and immune response in broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of increasing dietary levels of inorganic chromium (CrCl₃·6H₂O) on the performance, blood chemistry, and immune response of broilers. Eighty newly hatched Ross PM3 broiler chicks were evenly distributed to five groups of 16 chicks each. Two groups (control and only sheep red blood cell inoculated) were fed the basal diet containing 2.2 and 4.5 mg Cr/kg and the remaining groups were fed 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg Cr-supplemented diets for 44 d. Chicks in all groups, except in the control, at 3 and 5 wk of age, were injected intraperitonally with sheep red blood cell for determining the primary and secondary antibody responses, respectively. When the chicks were 4 wk of age, a delayed-type hypersensitivity test was performed. White blood cells were differentiated. Blood samples were collected for the determination of serum proteins, glucose, cholesterol, cortisol, minerals, and alkaline phosphatase activity and for antibody response. Chromium had no effect on weight gain, but 20 mg/kg supplemental Cr resulted in 18.57% reduction in feed consumption and improved feed efficiency by 16.77%. Chromium did not affect serum cholesterol and P levels but reduced serum glucose and increased serum protein, Cr, Ca, and Mg levels, and ALP activity. A slight reduction was observed with Cr supplementation in cortisol levels. Slight but not significant increases were observed with Cr in serum Zn and Cu. Chromium increased the ratio of bursa of Fabricius and liver to body weight. Heterophil and monocyte counts and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio were reduced and lymphocyte counts, total antibody, IgG, and IgM titers were increased by supplemental Cr. All levels of Cr increased the cell-mediated response to phytohemagglutinin. No alterations in tissues were observed by histopathological examinations.     

Maternal dietary supplementation with ferrous N-carbamylglycinate chelate affects sow reproductive performance and iron status of neonatal piglets

Iron-deficiency anemia is a public health concern that frequently occurs in pregnant mammals and neonatal offspring. Ferrous N-carbamylglycinate chelate (Fe-CGly) is a newly designed iron fortifier with proven effects in iron-deficient rats and weanling piglets. However, the effects of this new compound on pregnant mammals are unknown. Therefore, this experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of Fe-CGly on sow reproductive performance and iron status of both sows and neonatal piglets. A total of 40 large-white sows after second parity were randomly assigned to two groups (n=20). They were receiving a diet including 80 mg Fe/kg as FeSO₄ or Fe-CGly, respectively, from day 85 of gestation to parturition. The serum (day 110 of pregnancy) and placentas of sows were sampled. Litter size, mean weight of live born piglets, birth (live) litter weight, number of live born piglets, and the number of still-born piglets, mummies, and weak-born piglets were recorded. Once delivered, eight litters were randomly selected from the 20 litters per treatment, and one new-born male piglet (1.503±0.142 kg) from each selected litter was slaughtered within 3 h after birth from the selected litters, without colostrum ingestion. The serum, longissimus muscle, liver and kidneys of the piglets were collected. The iron status of the serum samples and the messenger RNA level of iron-related genes in the placenta, liver and kidney were analyzed. The results showed that litter weight of live born piglets was higher (P=0.030) in the Fe-CGly group (19.86 kg) than in the FeSO₄ group (17.34 kg). Fe-CGly significantly increased placental iron concentration (P<0.05) of sows. It also significantly increased iron saturation and reduced the total iron-binding capacity of piglets (P<0.05) at birth. However, the results revealed that supplementation of Fe-CGly in sows reduced liver and kidney iron concentration of neonatal piglets (P<0.05), indicating decreased iron storage. In addition, the concentration of iron in the colostrum was not significantly changed. Therefore, the present results suggested that replacement of maternal FeSO₄ supplement with Fe-CGly in the late-gestating period for sows could improve litter birth weight, probably via enhanced iron transportation in the placenta.     

Effects of maternal alpha-ketoglutarate supplementation during lactation on the performance of lactating sows and suckling piglets

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to investigate if dietary alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) supplementation may improve the performance of lactating sows and their suckling piglets. After farrowing, 24 lactating sows (Large White × Landrace) with similar body weight (BW) were assigned to the control and AKG groups based on parity, and their lactation diets were supplemented with 0.00 or 0.25% AKG, respectively. It was found that supplementing the diet of lactating sows with 0.25% AKG enhanced growth performance of the suckling piglets from d 7 to d 21 of the lactation period, improved villus height of ileum and tended (p = 0.085) to increase mean volumetric bone mineral density of femur in the weanling piglets. In the lactating sows, dietary supplementation of AKG decreased plasma urea level on d 14 of lactation, decreased plasma calcium (Ca) concentrations from d 7 to d 21 of lactation and increased lactose and Ca levels in ordinary milk. Thus, it was proposed that AKG supplementation stimulates the capacity for lactose synthesis and Ca uptake in the mammary gland, thereby altering the composition of the ordinary milk which might be associated with the enhanced performance of piglets during the suckling period. These findings could lead to a better application of AKG in lactating nutrition, and therefore, promoting pork production.     

The effects of a novel synthetic emulsifier product on growth performance of chickens for fattening and weaned piglets

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of a novel synthetic emulsifier product (AVI-MUL TOP) on the growth performance of chickens for fattening and weaned piglets. The emulsifier product consists of 50% vegetal bi-distillated oleic acid emulsified with 50% glyceryl polyethyleneglycol ricinoleate. In experiment 1, 480 1-day-old female Cobb500 chickens for fattening were assigned to two treatments: (1) a control diet (CTR); and (2) the control diet+the emulsifier (AMT, 1 g/kg from day 0 to day 10, 0.75 g/kg from day 10 to day 20 and 0.5 g/kg from day 20 to day 34 of the trial). AMT supplementation increased BW on days 20 and 34 (P<0.01). Dietary AMT increased the average daily gain and average daily feed intake (ADFI) from day 10 to day 20, from day 20 to day 34 and from day 0 to day 34 (P<0.01). A reduced feed conversion ratio was observed in the AMT group from day 10 to day 20 (P<0.01). In experiment 2, 96 Stambo HBI×Dalland piglets were weaned at 24 days and assigned to two treatments (the basal diet without the product (CTR) or with 2 g/kg emulsifier from day 0 to day 14 and 1.5 g/kg from day 14 to day 42 (AMT)). There was an increase in the ADFI associated with AMT supplementation from day 14 to day 42 (P=0.04). These results indicated that supplementation with the synthetic emulsifier may significantly improve the growth performance of chickens for fattening and numerically improve that of weaned piglets.     

Effects of dietary supplementation with freshwater microalgae on growth performance,nutrient digestibility and gut health in weaned piglets

In pigs, digestive disorders associated with weaning lead to antibiotic use to maintain intestinal health. Microalgae have been studied in humans and rodents for their beneficial effects on health. The nutritional value of microalgae in animal diets has been assessed, but results were not conclusive. Dietary supplementation with microalgae as an alternative to antibiotic use was studied in two trials (72 piglets with initial BW=9.1±1.1 kg in trial 1 and 24 piglets with initial BW=9.1±0.9 kg in trial 2). All piglets were weaned at 28 days of age and then housed in individual cages. Piglets were randomly allocated to one of the four diets during 2 weeks after weaning: a standard diet with no supplementation (NC) or the standard diet supplemented with 1% Spirulina (SP), with 1% Chlorella (CV), or with 0.2% of colistin as positive control (PC). Trial 1 was performed to determine the effect of microalgae supplementation from 28 to 42 days on performance and incidence of diarrhoea. Animals received then a standard diet from 42 to 56 days of age. Trial 2 was performed from 28 to 42 days of age to assess nutrient digestibility of the experimental diets and to determine inflammatory status and intestinal morphology at 42 days of age. In trial 1, 94% of the pigs had diarrhoea in the 1st week after weaning with no beneficial effect of colistin on diarrhoea incidence, average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and gain : feed (G : F) ratio. This suggests that the diarrhoea was due to digestive disorders that did not result from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infection. Supplementation with either Spirulina or Chlorella did not affect ADFI, ADG and G : F in trials 1 and 2 (P>0.10). Diarrhoea incidence was reduced in CV pigs compared with NC, SP and PC pigs (P<0.05). Total tract digestibility in pig receiving microalgae was greater for gross energy (P<0.05), and tended to be greater for dry matter, organic matter and NDF (P<0.10) compared with NC and PC pigs. Villus height at the jejunum was greater in SP and CV pigs compared with NC and PC pigs (P<0.05). This study shows a potential effect of both Spirulina and Chlorella supplementation on intestinal development and a potential of Chlorella supplementation to manage mild digestive disorders. Further investigation is necessary to determine the mechanism action of Spirulina and Chlorella on gut health and physiology.     

Intestinal development and growth performance of early-weaned piglets fed a low-threonine diet

High dietary threonine extraction by the digestive tract suggests that threonine contributes to maintain gut integrity. The aims of this study were to investigate the intestine development and the growth performance of early-weaned piglets pair-fed either a control well-balanced (C: 9.3 g threonine/kg diet) or a low-threonine diet (LT: 6.5 g threonine/kg diet) for 2 weeks. As expected, LT piglets presented lower plasma free threonine compared with C piglets (118 v. 356 ± 12 μmol/l, P < 0.001). Dietary threonine supply altered neither growth performance nor growth of the intestine and of the other portal-drained viscera (stomach, spleen and pancreas). Nevertheless, villus height was reduced in the ileum of the LT piglets compared with C piglets (446 v. 714 ± 74 μm, P < 0.05). This was also associated with a decrease in crypt width (P < 0.05) and villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (P < 0.05). Whereas maltase and lactase activities did not change between the two groups, aminopeptidase nitrogen activity was decreased in the ileum of LT piglets (269 v. 374 ± 27 IU/mg protein, P < 0.05). The number of mucin-containing goblet cells was not modified in the ileum and in the proximal part of the large intestine of the LT piglets compared with the C piglets. In conclusion, despite no alteration of intestinal growth, villus hypotrophy associated with a reduction of aminopeptidase nitrogen activity suggest an alteration of the structure of the ileum in early-weaned piglets fed a diet supplying inadequate dietary threonine.     

Effects of dietary L-carnitine and coenzyme Q10 at different supplemental ages on growth performance and some immune response in ascites-susceptible broilers

Abstract

Effects of dietary L-carnitine and coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) at different supplemental ages on performance and some immune response were investigated in ascites-susceptible broilers. A 3 × 2 × 2 factorial design was used consisting of L-carnitine supplementation (0, 75, and 100 mg/kg), CoQ₁₀ supplementation (0 and 40 mg/kg) and different supplemental ages (from day 1 on and from day 10 on). A total of 480 one-day-old Arbor Acre male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to 12 groups, every group had five replicates, each with eight birds. The birds were fed a corn-soybean based diet for six weeks. From day 10 – 21, all the birds were exposed to a low ambient temperature (12 – 15°C) to increase the susceptibility to ascites. No significant effects were observed on growth performance by L-carnitine, CoQ₁₀ supplementation, and different supplemental ages. Packed cell volume was significantly decreased by L-carnitine supplementation alone, and ascites heart index and ascites mortality were decreased by L-carnitine, CoQ₁₀ supplementation alone, and L-carnitine + CoQ₁₀ supplementation together (p < 0.05). Heart index of broilers was significantly improved by L-carnitine, CoQ₁₀ supplementation alone during 0 – 3 week. Serum IgG content was improved by L-carnitine supplementation alone (p < 0.05), but lysozyme activity was increased by L-carnitine + CoQ₁₀ supplementation together (p < 0.05). A significant L-carnitine by supplemental age interaction was observed in lysozyme activity. L-carnitine supplementation alone had no effects on the peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) proliferation in response to concanavalin A (ConA) and lipopolysaccharide, but supplemental CoQ₁₀ alone and L-carnitine + CoQ₁₀ together decreased the PBL proliferation in response to ConA (p < 0.05). The present study suggested that L-carnitine + CoQ₁₀ supplementation together had positive effects on some immune response of ascites-susceptible broilers, which might benefit for the reduction of broilers' susceptibility to ascites.