Effects of dietary calcium and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on the development of tibial dyschondroplasia in broilers during the starter and grower periods.

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to determine whether dietary 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25-(OH)2D3] can prevent tibial dyschondroplasia in broiler chickens throughout the growing period when withdrawn from the grower diet. The birds were reared in floor pens with pine shavings to 6 wk in Experiment 1 and 5 wk of age in Experiment 2. Calcium was fed at .65 or 1.00% and 1,25-(OH)2D3 was fed at 0 or 5 micrograms/kg to 3 wk of age. Half the birds consuming 1,25-(OH)2D3 were then fed 0 microgram/kg until the end of the experiments. The higher level of calcium decreased the incidences of tibial dyschondroplasia and severe lesions and increased bone ash. Dietary 1,25-(OH)2D3 increased bone ash at both levels of calcium at 3 wk and the end of the experiments when supplemented for the duration of the studies. When 1,25-(OH)2D3 was fed, tibial dyschondroplasia was reduced in Experiment 2 only at 3 wk. Tibial dyschondroplasia was decreased at 5 wk in Experiment 2 when .65% calcium was fed with or without 1,25-(OH)2D3 from 3 to 5 wk of age. There were no treatment effects on plasma calcium, dialyzable phosphorus, or 25-hydroxycholecalciferol. Plasma 1,25-(OH)2D3 was decreased at 3 and 5 wk in Experiment 2 when 1.00% calcium was fed. The results of Experiment 2 suggest that 1,25-(OH)2D3 can prevent tibial dyschondroplasia caused by inadequate calcium when fed for only 3 wk. The bone ash observed when 1.00% dietary calcium is fed is equal to that obtained when 5 micrograms/kg 1,25-(OH)2D3 is fed with .65% calcium for the entire growout period.

• Authors: M A Elliot, K D Roberson, G N Rowland 3rd, H M Edwards Jr
• Journal: Poultry science (Poult Sci) Vol. 74 Issue 9 Pg. 1495-505 (Sep 1995) ISSN: 0032-5791 [Print] England
• PMID: 7501594 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Calcium, Dietary
• Calcitriol

Topics

• Age Factors
• Animals
• Body Weight (drug effects)
• Bone Density (drug effects)
• Calcitriol (administration & dosage, blood)
• Calcium, Dietary (administration & dosage)
• Chickens
• Food, Fortified
• Incidence
• Male
• Osteochondrodysplasias (epidemiology, prevention & control, veterinary)
• Poultry Diseases (epidemiology, prevention & control)
• Tibia