Comparison of Bioavailability of 1α-Hydroxycholecalciferol and Cholecalciferol in Broiler Chicken Diets

Jianguo Wang; Jincheng Han; Guanhua Chen; Hongxia Qu; Zhixiang Wang; Yongfeng Yan; Yeonghsiang Cheng

doi:10.2141/jpsa.0150009

. 2016 Jan 25;53(1):22–28. doi: 10.2141/jpsa.0150009

Comparison of Bioavailability of 1α-Hydroxycholecalciferol and Cholecalciferol in Broiler Chicken Diets

Jianguo Wang ^1,², Jincheng Han ^2,^✉, Guanhua Chen ^1,², Hongxia Qu ², Zhixiang Wang ¹, Yongfeng Yan ^2,^✉, Yeonghsiang Cheng ³

PMCID: PMC7477254 PMID: 32908359

Abstract

The present study aims to compare the relative bioavailability (RBV) of 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol (1α-OH-D₃) to cholecalciferol (D₃) in 1- to 21-d-old broiler chicks fed with calcium (Ca)- and phosphorus (P)-deficient diets. A total of 400 male of 1-d-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly assigned to 8 treatments with 5 replicates each. Five levels of D₃ (0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 µg/kg) and three levels of 1α-OH-D₃ (1.25, 2.5, and 5 µg/kg) were added to a basal diet. The basal diet contained 0.50% Ca and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP), without D₃. The RBV of 1α-OHD₃ to D₃ was determined by the slope ratio method. Using bodyweight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, and plasma Ca as criteria, the RBV of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ were 4.78, 4.75, 4.50, and 4.21, respectively. Using tibia breaking-strength, weight, length, width, ash weight and content, and Ca and P content as criteria, the RBV of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ were 5.58, 5.16, 4.42, 4.70, 5.03, 4.46, 4.70, and 4.79. Using femur weight, length, width, ash weight and content, and Ca and P content as criteria, the RBV of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ were 5.09, 4.43, 3.19, 5.83, 5.21, 5.27, and 5.31. Using metatarsus weight, length, width, ash weight and content, and Ca and P content as criteria, the RBV of 1α-OHD₃ to D₃ were 5.00, 4.05, 5.94, 4.73, 5.33, 5.64, and 4.28. These data indicate that the RBV of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ is 4.84 in promoting growth performance and bone mineralization in broilers from 1 to 21 d of age.

Keywords: broiler chicken, cholecalciferol, 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol, relative bioavailability

Introduction

Cholecalciferol (D₃) is widely used as feed additive in the feed industry for the vitamin D requirements of poultry. The compound 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol (1α-OH-D₃) is the derivative of D₃. Research has shown that D₃ is originally hydroxylated to 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D₃) in the liver and subsequently to its active hormonal form 1α, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (1α, 25-(OH)₂-D₃) in the kidney (Norman et al., 1982). Bycontrast, 1α-OH-D₃ is rapidly hydroxylated in the liver to 1α, 25-(OH)²-D₃ without hydroxylation of the kidney (Paaren et al., 1978).

Previous research has shown that D₃ linearly increased bodyweight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) when broilers were fed calcium (Ca)- and phosphorus (P)-deficient diets; by contrast, the growth of birds quadratically responded to D₃ when fed with Ca- and P-adequate diets (Baker et al., 1998). These results suggest that the biological activity of vitamin D should be evaluated at low levels of Ca and P. However, Edwards et al. (2002a) evaluated the relative bioavailability (RBV) of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ in Ca- and P-adequate diets, using only the tibia as criteria. Our unpublished data indicated differences in growth and mineralization among the tibia, femur, and metatarsus of broiler chickens. Thus, the femur and metatarsus should be used in evaluating the RBV of vitamin D derivatives.

This studyaims to evaluate the RBV of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ in Ca- and P-deficient broiler chicken diets, using growth performance and mineralization of the femur, tibia, and metatarsus as criteria.

Materials and Methods

Birds, Diets and Management

All procedures used in this study were approved by the Animal Care Committee of Henan Agricultural University and Shangqiu Normal University.

On the day of hatch, 400 male Ross 308 broilers were weighed and randomly allotted to 8 treatments with 5 cages having 10 birds each. Broilers from 1 to 12 d of age and 13 to 21 d of age were reared in starting cages (70 cm × 70 cm × 30 cm) and growing cages (190 cm × 50 cm × 35 cm), respectively. A basal diet was formulated to contain suboptimal concentrations of Ca (0.50%) and NPP (0.25%), without D₃. Five levels of D₃ (0, 2. 5, 5, 10 and 20 µg/kg) and three levels of 1α-OH-D₃ (1.25, 2.5, and 5 µg/kg) were added to the basal diet. The birds were provided ad libitum access to mash feed and water during the 21 d of experiment, with 20 h of light and 4 h of darkness. Room temperature was controlled at 34°C from d 1 to 3, and then gradually decreased by 3°C per week to a final temperature of 25°C.

1α-OH-D₃ and D₃

The crystalline 1α-OH-D₃ and D₃ were supplied by Taizhou Healtech Chemical Co. Ltd. (Taizhou, China) and Tongxiang Tianhecheng Food TechnologyCo. Ltd. (Tongxiang, China), respectively. The 1α-OH-D₃ and D₃ solution were prepared using the method of Biehl and Baker (1997). Briefly, the crystalline was dissolved in ethanol, and then diluted to a final concentration of 10 mg/L of 1α-OH-D₃ or 50 mg/L of D₃ in a solution with 5% ethanol and 95% propylene glycol. The vitamin D stock solutions were used to mix the diets.

Sample Collection

All broilers were weighed on d 1 and 21. A chicken weighing close to the average weight of the replicate was selected for collection of blood and bones. Plasma samples (5 mL) were collected through cardiac puncture, and then immediately centrifuged for 10 min at 3000 × g and 20°C. The left and right femur, tibia, and metatarsus of individual birds were excised and frozen at −20°C for further analysis (breaking-strength, weight, length, width, ash weight, and percentage content of ash, Ca, and P).

Chemical Analysis

Plasma Ca, inorganic phosphorus (Pi), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine (CRE), and total protein (TP) were determined using a Shimadzu CL-8000 analyzer (Shimadzu Corp., Kyoto, Japan) following the instructions of the manufacturer.

The left femur, tibia, and metatarsus were boiled for 5 min to loosen the muscle tissues using the method by Hall et al. (2003). The meat, connective tissue, and fibula bone were completely removed using scissors and forceps. The femur, tibia, and metatarsus were placed in a container with ethanol for 48 h (removing water and polar lipids) after cleaning. Afterward, the bones were further extracted in anhydrous ether for 48 h (removing non-polar lipids). The bones were dried at 105°C for 24 h, and then weighed. Bone width was determined at the medial point. Bone ash content was determined by ashing the bone in a muffle furnace for 18 h at 600°C.

The right tibia was used to analyze the breaking-strength, which was determined using an all-digital electronic universal testing machine (Shenzhen Hengen Instrument Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, China). Tibias were cradled on two support points measuring 4 cm apart. Force was applied to the midpoint of the same face of each tibia using a 50 kg load cell with a crosshead speed of 10 mm/min (Jendral et al., 2008).

Table 1. Ingredients and nutrient composition of the basal diet.

Ingredient (%)	Day 1–21
Corn	60.61
Soybean meal	32.00
Soybean oil	1.60
Soyprotein concentrate	3.47
Limestone	0.67
Dicalcium phosphate	0.71
L-Lysine·HCl	0.14
DL-Methionine	0.14
Trace mineral premix¹	0.10
Vitamin premix²	0.03
Choline chloride (50%)	0.20
Sodium chloride	0.30
Nutrient composition
Metabolizable energy (MJ/kg)	12.45
Calculated crude protein (%)	21.24
Analyzed calcium (%)	0.49
Analyzed total phosphorus (%)	0.49
Calculated non-phytate phosphorus (%)	0.25

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The trace mineral premix contained the following (per kilogram of diet): 100 mg iron; 100 mg zinc; 8 mg copper; 120 mg manganese; 0.7 mg iodine; 0.3 mg selenium.

The vitamin premix contained the following (per kilogram of diet): 8,000 IU vitamin A; 20 IU vitamin E; 0.5 mg menadione; 2.0 mg thiamine; 8.0 mg riboflavin; 35 mg niacin; 3.5 mg pyridoxine; 0.01 mg vitamin B₁₂; 10.0 mg pantothenic acid; 0.55 mg folic acid; 0.18 mg biotin.

Statistical Analysis

Replicate means are the experimental units in the statistical analysis. The data were analyzed by using the GLM procedure of the SAS software (SAS Institute, 2002). Means were compared using the Tukey's test when the probability values were significant (P<0.05). The relative bioavailability (RBV) of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ was determined by the slope ratio method (Littell et al., 1997). The regression equation y=a+b₁x₁+b₂x₂ was used, where y, x₁, and x₂ represent the response (growth performance and bone mineralization), D₃, and 1α-OH-D₃, respectively. The ratio is the relative bioavailability value (RBV=b₂/b₁). Orthogonal contrasts were used to determine the linear and quadratic effects of 1α-OH-D₃ or D₃ on growth performance and bone mineralization.

Results

Growth Performance

The bodyweight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed efficiency (FE) and mortality were affected by the levels of D₃ or 1α-OH-D₃ in 1- to 21-d-old broiler chickens (P<0.05) (Table 2). BWG, FI, and FE responded linearly to D₃ ranging from 0 to 20 µg/kg and 1α-OH-D₃ from 0 to 5 µg/kg. Mortality decreased by the levels of D₃ or 1α-OH-D₃ (P<0.05).

Table 2. Effects of D₃ and 1α-OH-D₃ on the growth performance of 1- to 21-d-old broilers fed with 0.50% calcium (Ca) and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP)¹.

D₃² (µg/kg)	1α-OH-D₃ (µg/kg)	Bodyweight gain (g/bird)	Feed intake (g/bird)	Feed efficiency (gain/feed)	Mortality (%)
0	0	267^f	588^f	0.45^c	46^a
2.5		382^e	685^e	0.56^b	24^b
5		546^d	826^d	0.67^a	12^bc
10		655^b	1012^bc	0.65^a	0^c
20		686^b	1043^ab	0.66^a	2^c
	1.25	596^c	942^c	0.63^a	2^c
	2.5	674^b	1004^bc	0.67^a	2^c
	5	741^a	1102^a	0.67^a	0^c
SEM³		25	28	0.01	3
P		<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001
Source of variance
D₃	Linear	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001
D₃	Quadratic	<0.001	0.262	<0.001	0.017
1α-OH-D₃	Linear	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001
1α-OH-D₃	Quadratic	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001

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^a–f

Means in the same column without a common superscript significantly differ (P<0.05).

Data are the means of 5 replicate cages consisting of 10 chicks per cage.

D₃=cholecalciferol, 1α-OH-D₃=1α-hydroxycholecalciferol.

SEM=pooled standard error of the mean.

Plasma Biochemical Parameters

The addition of D₃ or 1α-OH-D₃ increased plasma Ca and Pi, but decreased plasma ALT, AST, LDH, CRE, and TP (Table 3).

Table 3. Effects of D₃ and 1α-OH-D₃ on plasma biochemical parameters of 1- to 21-d-old broilers fed with 0.50% calcium (Ca) and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP)¹.

D₃² (µg/kg)	1α-OH-D₃ (µg/kg)	Ca (mg/dL)	Pi (mg/dL)	ALT (U/L)	AST (U/L)	LDH (U/L)	CRE (µmol/L)	TP (g/L)
0	0	07.37^c	5.98^b	5.2^a	443.3^a	1496.6^a	6.5^a	39.6^a
2.5		7.57^bc	6.85^ab	3.8^b	379.1^ab	1376.6^ab	4.0^b	35.8^ab
5		6.88^c	6.76^ab	4.0^b	256.8^cd	791.2^c	3.4^b	30.0^bc
10		9.08^a	6.87^ab	3.6^b	230.5^d	718.6^c	3.8^b	33.6^abc
20		9.22^a	7.29^a	4.0^b	250.6^cd	772.6^c	3.4^b	29.7^bc
	1.25	7.40^c	6.49^ab	4.1a^b	340.8^bc	1505.6^a	3.1^b	32.1^bc
	2.5	8.91^ab	5.90^b	4.4^ab	293.8^bcd	1095.6^b	2.8^b	30.1^bc
	5	9.34^a	7.03^a	4.3^ab	240.0^d	759.4^c	3.8^b	28.3^c
SEM³		0.18	0.10	0.1	13.2	56.4	0.2	0.8
P		<0.001	<0.001	0.003	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001
Source of variance
D₃	Linear	<0.001	0.001	0.002	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	0.001
D₃	Quadratic	0.039	0.417	0.002	0.002	<0.001	0.001	0.180
1α-OH-D₃	Linear	<0.001	0.037	0.054	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001
Quadratic	0.506	0.231	0.070	0.319	0.059	<0.001	0.069

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^a–d

Means in the same column without a common superscript significantly differ (P<0.05).

Data are the means of 5 replicate cages consisting of 1 chick per replicate cage.

D₃=cholecalciferol, 1α-OH-D₃=1α-hydroxycholecalciferol, ALT=alanine aminotransferase, AST=aspartate aminotransferase, LDH=lactate dehydrogenase, CRE=creatinine, TP=total protein, Pi=inorganic phosphorus.

SEM=pooled standard error of the mean.

Bone Mineralization

Bone (tibia, femur, and metatarsus) quality was significantly influenced by the levels of D₃ or 1α-OH-D₃ in 1- to 21-d-old broilers (Tables 4, 5, and 6). The bone weight, length, width, bone ash weight and content, and Ca and P content responded linearly to D₃ ranging from 0 to 20 µg/kg and 1α-OH-D₃ from 0 to 5 µg/kg. The addition D₃ or 1α-OH-D₃ resulted in greater values of bone mineralization compared with the birds fed with basal diets (P<0.05). Tibia breaking-strength was also enhanced linearly to D₃ or 1α-OH-D₃.

Table 4. Effects of D₃ and 1α-OH-D₃ on tibia mineralization of 1- to 21-d-old broilers fed with 0.50% calcium (Ca) and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP)¹.

D₃² (µg/kg)	1α-OH-D₃ (µg/kg)	Breakings- strength (N)	Weight (g)	Length (cm)	Width (cm)	Ash (g)	Ash (%)	Ca (%)	P (%)
0	0	23.84^d	0.83^e	4.51^f	0.45^c	0.22^e	26.24^d	9.03^d	5.17^d
2.5		28.52^d	1.05^de	5.12^e	0.51^bc	0.31^e	29.04^d	9.66^d	5.66^d
5		58.11^c	1.21^cd	5.59^d	0.58^ab	0.45^d	36.81^c	12.42^c	7.08^c
10		76.08^b	1.44^bc	6.07^bc	0.59^ab	0.61^bc	42.07^ab	14.71^ab	7.92^abc
20		79.62^b	1.57^ab	6.32^ab	0.60^a	0.67^ab	42.57^ab	14.93^ab	7.99^ab
	1.25	64.58^bc	1.36^bc	5.73^cd	0.58^ab	0.52^cd	38.56^bc	13.21^bc	7.17^bc
	2.5	66.18^bc	1.50^ab	6.11^ab	0.59^ab	0.62^bc	41.35^ab	14.77^ab	7.99^ab
	5	109.45^a	1.73^a	6.45^a	0.62^a	0.77^a	44.12^a	15.73^a	8.49^a
SEM₃		4.33	0.05	0.10	0.01	0.03	1.04	0.41	0.19
P		<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001
Source of variance
D₃	Linear	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001
D₃	Quadratic	0.198	0.490	0.052	0.036	0.646	0.063	0.495	0.057
1α-OH-D₃	Linear	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001
1α-OH-D₃	Quadratic	0.786	0.017	<0.001	0.003	0.022	<0.001	0.002	0.001

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^a–f

Means in the same column without a common superscript significantly differ (P<0.05).

Data are the means of 5 replicate cages consisting of 1 chick per replicate cage.

D₃=cholecalciferol, 1α-OH-D₃=1α-hydroxycholecalciferol, P=phosphorus.

SEM=pooled standard error of the mean.

Table 5. Effects of D₃ and 1α-OH-D₃ on femur mineralization of 1- to 21-d-old broilers fed with 0.50% calcium (Ca) and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP)¹.

D₃² (µg/kg)	1α-OH-D₃ (µg/kg)	Weight (g)	Length (cm)	Width (cm)	Ash (g)	Ash (%)	Ca (%)	P (%)
0	0	0.63^d	3.19^e	0.53^b	0.15^f	24.69^e	7.91^d	4.79^d
2.5		0.78^d	3.65^d	0.63^ab	0.23^e	30.03^d	10.51^c	5.60^cd
5		1.00^c	4.14^c	0.69^a	0.37^d	36.61^c	11.81^bc	6.45^bc
10		1.11^bc	4.55^ab	0.65^a	0.44^bc	40.27^abc	13.55^ab	7.40^ab
20		1.20^ab	4.80^a	0.67^a	0.49^b	41.32^ab	14.56^a	7.59^ab
	1.25	1.02^c	4.32^bc	0.60^ab	0.40^cd	39.67^bc	13.53^ab	7.30^ab
	2.5	1.15^bc	4.65^ab	0.62^ab	0.49^b	42.21^ab	15.15^a	7.59a^b
	5	1.33^a	4.86^a	0.69^a	0.59^a	44.09^a	15.23^a	8.16^a
SEM³		0.04	0.09	0.01	0.02	1.04	0.40	0.19
P		<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001
Source of variance
D₃	Linear	<0.001	<0.001	0.002	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001
D₃	Quadratic	0.069	0.215	0.022	0.067	0.002	0.021	0.238
1α-OH-D₃	Linear	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001
1α-OH-D₃	Quadratic	0.010	<0.001	0.920	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	0.003

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^a–f

Means in the same column without a common superscript significantly differ (P<0.05).

Data are the means of 5 replicate cages consisting of 1 chick per replicate cage.

D₃=cholecalciferol, 1α-OH-D₃=1α-hydroxycholecalciferol, P=phosphorus.

SEM=pooled standard error of the mean.

Table 6. Effects of D₃ and 1α-OH-D₃ on metatarsus mineralization of 1- to 21-d-old broilers fed with 0.50% calcium (Ca) and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP)¹.

D₃² (µg/kg)	1α-OH-D₃ (µg/kg)	Weight (g)	Length (cm)	Width (cm)	Ash (g)	Ash (%)	Ca (%)	P (%)
0	0	0.44^e	3.30^e	0.49^d	0.10^e	23.09^b	6.66^c	4.35^c
2.5		0.60^de	3.76^d	0.59^c	0.16^e	26.88^b	9.21^bc	5.32^bc
5		0.75^cd	4.07^cd	0.66^bc	0.26^d	34.04^a	11.66^ab	6.60^ab
10		0.92^abc	4.53^ab	0.68^b	0.34^bc	37.12^a	12.83^a	7.48^a
20		0.99^ab	4.70^a	0.72^ab	0.40^ab	36.84^a	12.95^a	7.01^a
	1.25	0.89^bc	4.24^bc	0.70^b	0.32^cd	36.30^a	12.71^a	6.42^ab
	2.5	0.93^ab	4.46^ab	0.73^ab	0.36^abc	38.79^a	14.14^a	7.14^a
	5	1.09^a	4.70^a	0.79^a	0.43^a	39.39^a	14.20^a	7.37^a
SEM³		0.03	0.08	0.02	0.02	0.97	0.44	0.19
P		<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001
Source of variance
D₃	Linear	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001
D₃	Quadratic	0.316	0.146	0.043	0.846	0.014	0.022	0.016
1α-OH-D₃	Linear	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001
1α-OH-D₃	Quadratic	0.001	<0.001	0.002	<0.001	<0.001	<0.001	0.002

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^a–e

Means in the same column without a common superscript significantly differ (P<0.05).

Data are the means of 5 replicate cages consisting of 1 chick per replicate cage.

D₃=cholecalciferol, 1α-OH-D₃=1α-hydroxycholecalciferol, P=phosphorus.

SEM=pooled standard error of the mean.

The RBV Value

Using BWG, FI, FE, and plasma Ca as criteria, the RBV of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ were 4.78, 4.75, 4.50, and 4.21, respectively (Table 7). Using tibia breaking-strength, weight, length, width, ash weight and content, and Ca and P content as criteria, the RBV of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ were 5.58, 5.16, 4.42, 4.70, 5.03, 4.46, 4.70, and 4.79. Using femur weight, length, width, ash weight and content, and Ca and P content as criteria, the RBV of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ were 5.09, 4.43, 3.19, 5.83, 5.21, 5.27, and 5.31. Using metatarsus weight, length, width, ash weight and content, and Ca and P content as criteria, the RBV of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ were 5.00, 4.05, 5.94, 4.73, 5.33, 5.64, and 4.28. The results showed that the RBV of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ ranged from 4.21 to 4.78 in terms of growth performance and 3.19 to 5.94 with respect to bone mineralization.

Table 7. Relative bioavailability (RBV) of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ in 1- to 21-d-old broilers fed with 0.50% calcium (Ca) and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP)¹.

Item	Criteria	Formula	P	R²	RBV
Growth	Bodyweight gain	y=404.0918+16.5774x₁+79.2993x₂	<0.001	0.71	4.7
	Feed intake	y=712.1154+19.0561x₁+90.4751x₂	<0.001	0.72	4.7
	Feed efficiency	y=0.5590+0.0064x₁+0.0288x₂	<0.001	0.39	4.5
	Plasma Ca	y=7.1910+0.1109x₁+0.4672x₂	<0.001	0.51	4.2

Tibia	Breaking-strength	y=34.1606+2.6993x₁+15.0712x₂	<0.001	0.77	5.58
	Weight	y=1.0024+0.0305x₁+0.1574x₂	<0.001	0.74	5.16
	Length	y=5.0449+0.0728x₁+0.3216x₂	<0.001	0.73	4.42
	Width	y=0.5118+0.0053x₁+0.0249x₂	<0.001	0.41	4.70
	Ash weight	y=0.3188+0.0197x₁+0.0990x₂	<0.001	0.78	5.03
	Ash content	y=30.9996+0.6894x₁+3.0759x₂	<0.001	0.64	4.46
	Ca content	y=10.4936+0.2609x₁+1.2272x₂	<0.001	0.63	4.70
	P content	y=5.9826+0.1210x₁+0.5800x₂	<0.001	0.65	4.79

Femur	Weight	y=0.7842+0.0236x₁+0.1201x₂	<0.001	0.76	5.09
	Length	y=3.6572+0.0643x₁+0.2848x₂	<0.001	0.69	4.43
	Width	y=0.5925+0.0052x₁+0.0166x₂	0.007	0.24	3.19
	Ash weight	y=0.2470+0.0141x₁+0.0759x₂	<0.001	0.78	5.38
	Ash content	y=31.0489+0.6078x₁+3.1665x₂	<0.001	0.61	5.21
	Ca content	y=10.3304+0.2345x₁+1.2355x₂	<0.001	0.62	5.27
	P content	y=5.7303+0.1075x₁+0.5713x₂	<0.001	0.58	5.31

Metatarsus	Weight	y=0.6035+0.0219x₁+0.1094x₂	<0.001	0.68	5.00
	Length	y=3.7008+0.0568x₁+0.2303x₂	<0.001	0.70	4.05
	Width	y=0.5796+0.0081x₁+0.0481x₂	<0.001	0.62	5.94
	Ash weight	y=0.1752+0.0123x₁+0.0582x₂	<0.001	0.74	4.73
	Ash content	y=28.8116+0.4988x₁+2.6572x₂	<0.001	0.49	5.33
	Ca content	y=9.4990+0.2115x₁+1.1921x₂	<0.001	0.49	5.64
	P content	y=5.4692+0.1058x₁+0.4533x₂	<0.001	0.42	4.28

Open in a new tab

x₁=D₃, x₂=1α-OH-D₃, P=phosphorus.

Discussion

Growth Performance

Addition of D₃ (Qian et al., 1997) or 1α-OH-D₃ (Han et al., 2012a) significantly increased BWG and FI in birds fed with Ca- and P-deficient diet. In the present study, the increase in D₃ or 1α-OH-D₃ improved the BWG, FI, and FE of broilers fed with 0.50% Ca and 0.25% NPP. Broilers fed with Ca- and P-deficient diet supplemented with D₃ exhibited equal growth performance compared with birds fed with diet having adequate Ca and P (Rao et al., 2006).

Vitamin D deficiency caused severe tibial dyschondroplasia (Rennie and Whitehead, 1996; Roberson and Edwards, 1996; Fritts and Waldroup, 2003) or mortality (Han et al., 2012b) of broiler chicks. In this study, the mortality of broilers was significantly reduced by the addition of D₃ or 1α-OH-D₃.

Plasma Biochemical Parameters

Vitamin D deficiency decreased the serum Ca in broilers (Aslam et al., 1998), or slightly depressed plasma P in rats (Bronner and Freund, 1975). The levels of D₃ or 1α-OH-D₃ increased serum Ca and Pi concentrations in the current study, in agreement with the studies conducted by Edwards et al. (2002a) and Rao et al. (2006).

The insufficiency of vitamin D resulted in an abnormal increase in plasma total protein (TP) (39.6 g/L) in this study, in agreement with the findings of Han et al. (2009a). Addition of D₃ or 1α-OH-D₃ decreased the plasma TP to a normal level. Bowes et al. (1989) and Silva et al. (2007) measured the normal TP level (26.5 to 30.6 g/L) of 3 week-old broilers.

ALT and AST are the biochemical indicators of hepatocyte damage. Previous studies have shown that plasma ALT (Hsu et al., 2011; Price et al., 2012) and AST (Price et al., 2012) increased because of liver diseases. LDH and CRE were used as indicators for evaluating kidney function. Serum LDH isozyme activity was elevated because of kidney damage induced by high doses of drugs (Chan et al., 1995). According to Myers et al. (2006) and Prowle et al. (2014), kidney disease also contributes to the increase in serum CRE. In this study, deficiency of vitamin D increased plasma ALT, AST, LDH and CRE, which decreased after addition of D₃ or 1α-OH-D₃.

Bone Mineralization

Bone ash weight and content increased with the increase in D₃ (Fritts and Waldroup, 2003; Rao et al., 2007) or 1α-OHD₃ (Edwards, 2002b). Similar results were obtained in this study. The weight, length, width, ash weight and content, and Ca and P content of the femur, tibia, and metatarsus increased with the increase in D₃ or 1α-OH-D₃. Tibia breaking-strength was also enhanced by D³ or 1α-OH-D₃ in this study, which was consistent with our previous results (Han et al., 2009a, b, 2012b). These results suggest that D₃ and 1α-OH-D₃ promote bone growth and mineralization by increasing the absorption and retention of Ca and P.

The RBV Value

The biological activity of 1α-OH-D₃ was higher than that of D₃ in this study. This result agrees with the findings of Edwards et al. (2002a), who found that 1α-OH-D₃ was approximately 8 times as active as D₃ in increasing growth. However, the RBV of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ in the present study were lower than that reported by Edwards et al. (2002a).

The RBV values of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ were 10.08, 9.50, 11.26, and 4.48 when BWG, plasma Ca, and tibia ash weight and percentage were used as criteria in 1- to 16-d-old mixed-sex broilers fed with diets containing 1.00% Ca and 0.70% tP (Edwards et al., 2002a). According to Liem (2009), the RBV values of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ were 6.92, 5.97, 4.56, 6.40, and 5.68 when BWG, FI, plasma Ca, tibia ash weight and content were used as criteria in 10- to 26-d-old mixed-sex broilers fed with diets containing 1.00% Ca and 0.73% tP. However, 1- to 21-d-old male birds fed with diet containing 0.50% Ca and 0.25% NPP was used in the current study. The RBV of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ in the present study were lower than that of other studies, which maybe due to the sex and age of the birds, the product of D₃ and 1α-OH-D₃, and the levels of Ca and NPP. Furthermore, femur and metatarsus parameters have not yet been used as criteria to evaluate the RBV of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ in previous research.

In conclusion, the increasing levels of D₃ or 1α-OH-D₃ improved growth performance, plasma Ca and Pi, and bone quality of the broilers. These data indicate that the RBV of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ is 4.84 in promoting growth performance and bone mineralization in 1- to 21-d-old broiler chicks fed with Ca- and P-deficient diets.

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31101732), Innovation Scientists and Technicians Troop Construction Projects of Henan Province, and Shangqiu Normal University Foundation (2013GGJS10).

References

Aslam SM, Garlich JD, Qureshi MA. Vitamin D deficiency alters the immune responses of broiler chicks. Poultry Science, 77: 842-849. 1998. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Baker DH, Biehl RR, Emmert JL. Vitamin D₃ requirement of young chicks receiving diets varying in calcium and available phosphorus. British Poultry Science, 39: 413-417. 1998. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Biehl RR, Baker DH. Utilization of phytate and nonphytate phosphorus in chicks as affected bysource and amount of vitamin D₃. Journal of Animal Science, 75: 2986-2993. 1997. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Bowes VA, Julian RJ, Stirtzinger T. Comparison of serum biochemical profiles of male broilers with female broilers and white leghorn chickens. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 53: 7-11. 1989. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Bronner F, Freund T. Intestinal CaBP: A new quantitative index of vitamin D deficiency in the rat. American Journal of Physiology, 229: 689-694. 1975. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Chan WY, Ng TB, Lu JL, Cao YX, Wang MZ, Liu WK. Effects of decoctions prepared from Aconitum carmichaeli, Aconitum kusnezoffii and Tripterygium wilfordii on serum lactate dehydrogenase activity and histology of liver, kidney, heart and gonad in mice. Human and experimental toxicology, 14: 489-493. 1995. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Edwards HM, Jr, Shirley RB, Escoe WB, Pesti GM. Quantitative evaluation of 1-α-hydroxycholecalciferol as a cholecalcifero1 substitute for broilers. Poultry Science, 81: 664-669. 2002. a. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Edwards HM., Jr. Studies on the efficacy of cholecalciferol and derivatives for stimulating phytate utilization in broilers. Poultry Science, 81: 1026-1031. 2002. b. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Fritts CA, Waldroup PW. Effect of source and level of vitamin D on live performance and bone development in growing broilers. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 12: 45-52. 2003. [Google Scholar]
Hall LE, Shirley RB, Bakalli RI, Aggrey SE, Pesti GM, Edwards HM., Jr. Power of two methods for the estimation of bone ash of broilers. Poultry Science, 82: 414-418. 2003. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Han JC, Yang XD, Zhang T, Li H, Li WL, Zhang ZY, Yao JH. Effects of 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol on growth performance, parameters of tibia and plasma, meat quality, and type IIb sodium phosphate cotransporter gene expression of one- to twenty-one-day-old broilers. Poultry Science, 88: 323-329. 2009. a. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Han JC, Yang XD, Zhang LM, Li WL, Zhang T, Zhang ZY, Yao JH. Effects of 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol and phytase on growth performance, tibia parameter and meat quality of 1- to 21-d-old broilers. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 22: 857-864. 2009. b. [Google Scholar]
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Han JC, Liu Y, Yao JH, Wang JQ, Qu HX, Yan YF, Yue J, Ding JL, Shi ZT, Dong XS. Dietary calcium levels reduce the efficacy of one alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol in phosphorus-deficient diets of broilers. Journal of Poultry Science, 49: 34-38. 2012. b. [Google Scholar]
Hsu CH, Wang JY, Chen YL, Liu CC, Chang YL, Chen HS, Pei C, Pei D. Relationships between alanine aminotransferase levels, abnormal liver echogenicity, and metabolic syndrome. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 24: 407-414. 2011. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Jendral MJ, Korver DR, Church JS, Feddes JJR. Bone mineral density and breaking strength of white leghorns housed in conventional, modified, and commerciallyavailable colonybattery cages. Poultry Science, 87: 828-837. 2008. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Liem A. Dietary factors influencing calcium and phosphorus utilization by broiler chicks. Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation. University of Georgia, Athens: 2009. [Google Scholar]
Littell R C, Henry P R, Lewis A J, Ammerman CB. Estimation of relative bioavailability of nutrients using SAS procedures. Journal of Animal Science, 75: 2672-2683. 1997. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Myers GL, Miller WG, Coresh J, Fleming J, Greenberg N, Greene T, Hostetter T, Levey AS, Panteghini M, Welch M, Eckfeldt JH. Recommendations for improving serum creatinine measurement: a report from the laboratory working group of the national kidney disease education program. Clinical Chemistry, 52: 15-18. 2006. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Norman AW, Roth J, Orci L. The vitamin D endocrine system: steroid metabolism, hormone receptors, and biological response (calcium binding proteins). Endocrine Reviews, 3: 331-366. 1982. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Paaren HE, Hamer DE, Schnoes HK, Deluca HF. Direct C-1 hydroxylation of vitamin D compounds: convenient preparation of 1α-hydroxyvitamin D₃, 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃, and 1α-hydroxyvitamin D₂. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 75: 2080-2081. 1978. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Price JC, Seaberg EC, Badri S, Witt MD, Acunto KD, Thio CL. HIV monoinfection is associated with increased aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index, a surrogate marker for hepatic fibrosis. Journal of Infectious Disease, 205: 1005-1013. 2012. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Prowle JR, Kolic I, Purdell-Lewis J, Taylor R, Pearse RM, Kirwan CJ. Serum creatinine changes associated with critical illness and detection of persistent renal dysfunction after AKI. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 9: 1015-1023. 2014. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Qian H, Kornegay ET, Denbow DM. Utilization of phytate phosphorus and calcium as influenced bymicrobial phytase, cholecalciferol, and the calcium: total phosphorus ratio in broiler diets. Poultry Science, 76: 37-46. 1997. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Rao SVR, Raju MVLN, Panda AK, Shyam SG, Sharma RP. Effect of high concentrations of cholecalciferol on growth, bone mineralization and mineral retention in broiler chicks fed suboptimal concentrations of calcium and non-phytate phosphorus. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 131: 135-150. 2006. [Google Scholar]
Rao SVR, Raju MVLN, Reddy MR. Performance of broiler chicks fed high levels of cholecalciferol in diets containing suboptimal levels of calcium and non-phytate phosphorus. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 134: 77-88. 2007. [Google Scholar]
Rennie JS, Whitehead CC. Effectiveness of dietary 25- and 1- hydroxycholecalciferol in combating tibial dyschondroplasia in broiler chickens. British Poultry Science, 37: 413-421. 1996. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Roberson KD, Edwards HM., Jr. Effect of dietary 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol level on broiler performance. Poultry Science, 75: 90-94 1996. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
SAS Institute. SAS User's Guide. Version 9 ed. SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC, USA: 2002. [Google Scholar]
Silva PRL, Freitas Neto OC, Laurentiz AC, Junqueira OM, Fagliari JJ. Blood serum components and serum protein test of Hybro-PG broilers of different ages. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science, 9: 229-232. 2007. [Google Scholar]

[bib1] Aslam SM, Garlich JD, Qureshi MA. Vitamin D deficiency alters the immune responses of broiler chicks. Poultry Science, 77: 842-849. 1998. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib2] Baker DH, Biehl RR, Emmert JL. Vitamin D₃ requirement of young chicks receiving diets varying in calcium and available phosphorus. British Poultry Science, 39: 413-417. 1998. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib3] Biehl RR, Baker DH. Utilization of phytate and nonphytate phosphorus in chicks as affected bysource and amount of vitamin D₃. Journal of Animal Science, 75: 2986-2993. 1997. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib4] Bowes VA, Julian RJ, Stirtzinger T. Comparison of serum biochemical profiles of male broilers with female broilers and white leghorn chickens. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 53: 7-11. 1989. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib5] Bronner F, Freund T. Intestinal CaBP: A new quantitative index of vitamin D deficiency in the rat. American Journal of Physiology, 229: 689-694. 1975. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib6] Chan WY, Ng TB, Lu JL, Cao YX, Wang MZ, Liu WK. Effects of decoctions prepared from Aconitum carmichaeli, Aconitum kusnezoffii and Tripterygium wilfordii on serum lactate dehydrogenase activity and histology of liver, kidney, heart and gonad in mice. Human and experimental toxicology, 14: 489-493. 1995. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib7] Edwards HM, Jr, Shirley RB, Escoe WB, Pesti GM. Quantitative evaluation of 1-α-hydroxycholecalciferol as a cholecalcifero1 substitute for broilers. Poultry Science, 81: 664-669. 2002. a. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib8] Edwards HM., Jr. Studies on the efficacy of cholecalciferol and derivatives for stimulating phytate utilization in broilers. Poultry Science, 81: 1026-1031. 2002. b. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib9] Fritts CA, Waldroup PW. Effect of source and level of vitamin D on live performance and bone development in growing broilers. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 12: 45-52. 2003. [Google Scholar]

[bib10] Hall LE, Shirley RB, Bakalli RI, Aggrey SE, Pesti GM, Edwards HM., Jr. Power of two methods for the estimation of bone ash of broilers. Poultry Science, 82: 414-418. 2003. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib11] Han JC, Yang XD, Zhang T, Li H, Li WL, Zhang ZY, Yao JH. Effects of 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol on growth performance, parameters of tibia and plasma, meat quality, and type IIb sodium phosphate cotransporter gene expression of one- to twenty-one-day-old broilers. Poultry Science, 88: 323-329. 2009. a. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib12] Han JC, Yang XD, Zhang LM, Li WL, Zhang T, Zhang ZY, Yao JH. Effects of 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol and phytase on growth performance, tibia parameter and meat quality of 1- to 21-d-old broilers. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 22: 857-864. 2009. b. [Google Scholar]

[bib13] Han JC, Wang YL, Qu H X, Liang F, Zhang JL, Shi CX, Zhang XL, Li L, Xie Q, Wang CL, Yan YY, Dong XS, Cheng YH. One alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol improves growth performance, tibia quality, and meat color of broilers fed calcium- and phosphorus-deficient diets. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, 25: 267-271. 2012. a. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib14] Han JC, Liu Y, Yao JH, Wang JQ, Qu HX, Yan YF, Yue J, Ding JL, Shi ZT, Dong XS. Dietary calcium levels reduce the efficacy of one alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol in phosphorus-deficient diets of broilers. Journal of Poultry Science, 49: 34-38. 2012. b. [Google Scholar]

[bib15] Hsu CH, Wang JY, Chen YL, Liu CC, Chang YL, Chen HS, Pei C, Pei D. Relationships between alanine aminotransferase levels, abnormal liver echogenicity, and metabolic syndrome. Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 24: 407-414. 2011. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib16] Jendral MJ, Korver DR, Church JS, Feddes JJR. Bone mineral density and breaking strength of white leghorns housed in conventional, modified, and commerciallyavailable colonybattery cages. Poultry Science, 87: 828-837. 2008. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib17] Liem A. Dietary factors influencing calcium and phosphorus utilization by broiler chicks. Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation. University of Georgia, Athens: 2009. [Google Scholar]

[bib18] Littell R C, Henry P R, Lewis A J, Ammerman CB. Estimation of relative bioavailability of nutrients using SAS procedures. Journal of Animal Science, 75: 2672-2683. 1997. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib19] Myers GL, Miller WG, Coresh J, Fleming J, Greenberg N, Greene T, Hostetter T, Levey AS, Panteghini M, Welch M, Eckfeldt JH. Recommendations for improving serum creatinine measurement: a report from the laboratory working group of the national kidney disease education program. Clinical Chemistry, 52: 15-18. 2006. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib20] Norman AW, Roth J, Orci L. The vitamin D endocrine system: steroid metabolism, hormone receptors, and biological response (calcium binding proteins). Endocrine Reviews, 3: 331-366. 1982. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib21] Paaren HE, Hamer DE, Schnoes HK, Deluca HF. Direct C-1 hydroxylation of vitamin D compounds: convenient preparation of 1α-hydroxyvitamin D₃, 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃, and 1α-hydroxyvitamin D₂. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 75: 2080-2081. 1978. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib22] Price JC, Seaberg EC, Badri S, Witt MD, Acunto KD, Thio CL. HIV monoinfection is associated with increased aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index, a surrogate marker for hepatic fibrosis. Journal of Infectious Disease, 205: 1005-1013. 2012. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib23] Prowle JR, Kolic I, Purdell-Lewis J, Taylor R, Pearse RM, Kirwan CJ. Serum creatinine changes associated with critical illness and detection of persistent renal dysfunction after AKI. Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 9: 1015-1023. 2014. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib24] Qian H, Kornegay ET, Denbow DM. Utilization of phytate phosphorus and calcium as influenced bymicrobial phytase, cholecalciferol, and the calcium: total phosphorus ratio in broiler diets. Poultry Science, 76: 37-46. 1997. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib25] Rao SVR, Raju MVLN, Panda AK, Shyam SG, Sharma RP. Effect of high concentrations of cholecalciferol on growth, bone mineralization and mineral retention in broiler chicks fed suboptimal concentrations of calcium and non-phytate phosphorus. Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 131: 135-150. 2006. [Google Scholar]

[bib26] Rao SVR, Raju MVLN, Reddy MR. Performance of broiler chicks fed high levels of cholecalciferol in diets containing suboptimal levels of calcium and non-phytate phosphorus. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 134: 77-88. 2007. [Google Scholar]

[bib27] Rennie JS, Whitehead CC. Effectiveness of dietary 25- and 1- hydroxycholecalciferol in combating tibial dyschondroplasia in broiler chickens. British Poultry Science, 37: 413-421. 1996. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib28] Roberson KD, Edwards HM., Jr. Effect of dietary 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol level on broiler performance. Poultry Science, 75: 90-94 1996. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

[bib29] SAS Institute. SAS User's Guide. Version 9 ed. SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC, USA: 2002. [Google Scholar]

[bib30] Silva PRL, Freitas Neto OC, Laurentiz AC, Junqueira OM, Fagliari JJ. Blood serum components and serum protein test of Hybro-PG broilers of different ages. Brazilian Journal of Poultry Science, 9: 229-232. 2007. [Google Scholar]

PERMALINK

Comparison of Bioavailability of 1α-Hydroxycholecalciferol and Cholecalciferol in Broiler Chicken Diets

Jianguo Wang

Jincheng Han

Guanhua Chen

Hongxia Qu

Zhixiang Wang

Yongfeng Yan

Yeonghsiang Cheng

Abstract

Introduction

Materials and Methods

Birds, Diets and Management

1α-OH-D3 and D3

Sample Collection

Chemical Analysis

Table 1. Ingredients and nutrient composition of the basal diet.

Statistical Analysis

Results

Growth Performance

Table 2. Effects of D3 and 1α-OH-D3 on the growth performance of 1- to 21-d-old broilers fed with 0.50% calcium (Ca) and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP)1.

Plasma Biochemical Parameters

Table 3. Effects of D3 and 1α-OH-D3 on plasma biochemical parameters of 1- to 21-d-old broilers fed with 0.50% calcium (Ca) and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP)1.

Bone Mineralization

Table 4. Effects of D3 and 1α-OH-D3 on tibia mineralization of 1- to 21-d-old broilers fed with 0.50% calcium (Ca) and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP)1.

Table 5. Effects of D3 and 1α-OH-D3 on femur mineralization of 1- to 21-d-old broilers fed with 0.50% calcium (Ca) and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP)1.

Table 6. Effects of D3 and 1α-OH-D3 on metatarsus mineralization of 1- to 21-d-old broilers fed with 0.50% calcium (Ca) and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP)1.

The RBV Value

Table 7. Relative bioavailability (RBV) of 1α-OH-D3 to D3 in 1- to 21-d-old broilers fed with 0.50% calcium (Ca) and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP)1.

Discussion

Growth Performance

Plasma Biochemical Parameters

Bone Mineralization

The RBV Value

Acknowledgments

References

ACTIONS

PERMALINK

RESOURCES

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1α-OH-D₃ and D₃

Table 2. Effects of D₃ and 1α-OH-D₃ on the growth performance of 1- to 21-d-old broilers fed with 0.50% calcium (Ca) and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP)¹.

Table 3. Effects of D₃ and 1α-OH-D₃ on plasma biochemical parameters of 1- to 21-d-old broilers fed with 0.50% calcium (Ca) and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP)¹.

Table 4. Effects of D₃ and 1α-OH-D₃ on tibia mineralization of 1- to 21-d-old broilers fed with 0.50% calcium (Ca) and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP)¹.

Table 5. Effects of D₃ and 1α-OH-D₃ on femur mineralization of 1- to 21-d-old broilers fed with 0.50% calcium (Ca) and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP)¹.

Table 6. Effects of D₃ and 1α-OH-D₃ on metatarsus mineralization of 1- to 21-d-old broilers fed with 0.50% calcium (Ca) and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP)¹.

Table 7. Relative bioavailability (RBV) of 1α-OH-D₃ to D₃ in 1- to 21-d-old broilers fed with 0.50% calcium (Ca) and 0.25% non-phytate phosphorus (NPP)¹.