cholecalciferol and Weight-Gain

Decreasing feed costs while maintaining broiler performance at a high level with minimal environmental pollution has become a major challenge for poultry nutritionists in recent years. In this regard, phosphorus (P) is a nutrient that is problematic. To overcome this, a comprehensive knowledge of the responses of broilers to P is needed and the factors that affect its utilization need better understanding. For this purpose, a meta-analysis was conducted using results published in the literature on the responses of broilers to different levels of nonphytate P (NPP), calcium (Ca), microbial phytase (MP), and vitamin D3 or its metabolites (VD). The effects of Ca, MP, and VD on NPP requirements were investigated. Results showed significant (P ≤ 0.0001) linear and quadratic effects of NPP on all the responses, viz. average daily gain (ADG), feed intake (FI), feed efficiency (FE), and tibia ash concentration (TA). Results showed the negative effect of high Ca levels on all investigated responses, although these deleterious effects were alleviated when levels of NPP were increased or MP and/or VD added. Synergistic effects of MP and VD on FI and TA were observed. Best performance for all responses was found when MP and VD were added to low or moderate levels of Ca and NPP. Optimization showed higher levels of NPP are required to maximize TA compared to ADG, FI, and FE. Based on our analysis, requirements for NPP were affected mostly by Ca (increased) and MP (decreased), and, to a lesser extent, VD (inconsistent).

Topics: 6-Phytase; Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Chickens; Cholecalciferol; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Energy Metabolism; Feeding Behavior; Minerals; Phosphorus, Dietary; Tibia; Weight Gain

Current approaches to antenatal vitamin D supplementation do not account for interindividual differences in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) response.. We assessed which maternal and environmental characteristics were associated with 25(OH)D after supplementation with cholecalciferol.. Within-randomization-group analysis of participants in the Maternal Vitamin D Osteoporosis Study trial of vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy.. Hospital antenatal clinics.. A total of 829 pregnant women (422 placebo, 407 cholecalciferol). At 14 and 34 weeks of gestation, maternal anthropometry, health, and lifestyle were assessed and 25(OH)D measured. Compliance was determined using pill counts at 19 and 34 weeks.. 1000 IU/d of cholecalciferol or matched placebo from 14 weeks of gestation until delivery.. 25(OH)D at 34 weeks, measured in a single batch (Diasorin Liaison).. 25(OH)D at 34 weeks of gestation was higher in the women randomized to vitamin D (mean [SD], 67.7 [21.3] nmol/L) compared with placebo (43.1 [22.5] nmol/L; P < .001). In women randomized to cholecalciferol, higher pregnancy weight gain from 14 to 34 weeks of gestation (kg) (β = -0.81 [95% confidence interval -1.39, -0.22]), lower compliance with study medication (%) (β = -0.28 [-0.072, -0.48]), lower early pregnancy 25(OH)D (nmol/L) (β = 0.28 [0.16, 0.40]), and delivery in the winter vs the summer (β = -10.5 [-6.4, -14.6]) were independently associated with lower 25(OH)D at 34 weeks of gestation.. Women who gained more weight during pregnancy had lower 25(OH)D in early pregnancy and delivered in winter achieved a lower 25(OH)D in late pregnancy when supplemented with 1000 IU/d cholecalciferol. Future studies should aim to determine appropriate doses to enable consistent repletion of 25(OH)D during pregnancy.

Topics: Adult; Cholecalciferol; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimesters; Seasons; Vitamin D; Vitamins; Weight Gain; Young Adult

To determine whether treatment of low serum vitamin D in pregnant women improves fetal growth indices.. In this open-label randomized clinical trial, 130 Iranian pregnant women (24-26 weeks of gestation) with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency [25(OH)D <30ng/ml] were divided at random into an intervention group and a control group. The control group received 200mg calcium plus a multivitamin (containing vitamin D3 400U) each day, and the intervention group received 200mg calcium plus a multivitamin (containing vitamin D3 400U) each day, plus vitamin D3 (50,000U) each week for 8 weeks. At delivery, maternal and cord blood 25(OH)D levels, maternal weight gain, neonatal length, neonatal weight and neonatal head circumference were compared between two groups. Serum vitamin D was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A multivariate regression analysis was performed to examine the independent effect of maternal vitamin D level on fetal growth indices.. Mean (±standard deviation) length (intervention group: 49±1.6cm; control group: 48.2±1.7cm; p=0.001), head circumference (intervention group: 35.9±0.7cm; control group: 35.3±1.0cm; p=0.001) and weight (intervention group: 3429±351.9g; control group: 3258.8±328.2g; p=0.01) were higher in the intervention group compared with the control group. Mean maternal weight gain was higher in the intervention group compared with the control group (13.3±2.4kg vs 11.7±2.7kg; p=0.006). Multivariate regression analysis for maternal weight gain, neonatal length, neonatal weight and neonatal head circumference showed an independent correlation with maternal vitamin D level.. Treatment of low serum vitamin D during pregnancy improves fetal growth indices and maternal weight gain.

Topics: Adult; Birth Weight; Body Height; Calcium; Cholecalciferol; Female; Fetal Development; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Iran; Multivariate Analysis; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Regression Analysis; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins; Weight Gain; Young Adult

Vitamin D has been shown to be involved in the host immune response toward Mycobacterium tuberculosis.. To test whether vitamin D supplementation of patients with tuberculosis (TB) improved clinical outcome and reduced mortality.. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in TB clinics at a demographic surveillance site in Guinea-Bissau. We included 365 adult patients with TB starting antituberculosis treatment; 281 completed the 12-month follow-up. The intervention was 100,000 IU of cholecalciferol or placebo at inclusion and again 5 and 8 months after the start of treatment.. The primary outcome was reduction in a clinical severity score (TBscore) for all patients with pulmonary TB. The secondary outcome was 12-month mortality. No serious adverse effects were reported; mild hypercalcemia was rare and present in both arms. Reduction in TBscore and sputum smear conversion rates did not differ among patients treated with vitamin D or placebo. Overall mortality was 15% (54 of 365) at 1 year of follow-up and similar in both arms (30 of 187 for vitamin D treated and 24 of 178 for placebo; relative risk, 1.19 [0.58-1.95]). HIV infection was seen in 36% (131 of 359): 21% (76 of 359) HIV-1, 10% (36 of 359) HIV-2, and 5% (19 of 357) HIV-1+2.. Vitamin D does not improve clinical outcome among patients with TB and the trial showed no overall effect on mortality in patients with TB; it is possible that the dose used was insufficient. Clinical trial registered with www.controlled-trials.com/isrctn (ISRCTN35212132).

Topics: Adult; Antitubercular Agents; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Cholecalciferol; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Guinea-Bissau; HIV Infections; Humans; Male; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins; Weight Gain

Obesity in the United States has increased significantly during the past several decades. The role of calcium in the maintenance of a healthy body weight remains controversial.. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was performed with 36 282 postmenopausal women, aged 50 to 79 years, who were already enrolled in the dietary modification and/or hormone therapy arms of the Women's Health Initiative clinical trial. Women were randomized at their first or second annual visit to receive a dose of 1000 mg of elemental calcium plus 400 IU of cholecalciferol (vitamin D) or placebo daily. Change in body weight was ascertained annually for an average of 7 years.. Women receiving calcium plus cholecalciferol supplements vs women receiving placebo had a minimal but consistent favorable difference in weight change (mean difference, -0.13 kg; 95% confidence interval, -0.21 to -0.05; P = .001). After 3 years of follow-up, women with daily calcium intakes less than 1200 mg at baseline who were randomized to supplements were 11% less likely to experience small weight gains (1-3 kg) and 11% less likely to gain more moderate amounts of weight (>3 kg) (P for interaction for baseline calcium intake = .008).. Calcium plus cholecalciferol supplementation has a small effect on the prevention of weight gain, which was observed primarily in women who reported inadequate calcium intakes.. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00000611.

Topics: Aged; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Calcium, Dietary; Cholecalciferol; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Double-Blind Method; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Middle Aged; Postmenopause; Time Factors; Vitamins; Weight Gain

An experiment was conducted with broiler breeder hens to determine the relative biological value of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD3) compared with cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) for hen-day egg production, hatchability, embryo mortality (early, 1 to 10 d of incubation, late, 11 to 21 d), and body ash of the progeny. The study was conducted with 73-to-90-wk-old molted Ross broiler breeder hens in an environment excluding ultraviolet light. A basal vitamin D3 deficient diet supplemented with 4 levels of vitamin D3 (0, 3,125, 12,500, and 50,000 ng/kg of diet) and 2 levels of 25-OHD3 (3,125 and 12,500 ng/kg of diet) was fed. The relative biological values of 25-OHD3 in comparison to vitamin D3, using slope ratio techniques, were 138, 133, 128, and 111% for hen-day egg production, hatchability, late embryo mortality, and body ash of the progeny,, respectively (average = 128%). When comparing 25-OHD3 against D3 at the 3,125 ng/kg level, the relative biological values were 209, 167, 400, and 108% for the same criteria, respectively (average = 221%). However, at the 12,500 ng/kg level no statistical differences between 25-OHD3 and D3 were observed (average = 108%). Four trials were conducted to determine the effect of the maternal diet on the performance and leg abnormalities of the hens' progeny. In experiment 1, no vitamin D was added to the corn-soybean meal basal diet fed to the chicks, and in experiments 2, 3, and 4 the basal diet was supplemented with 27.5 microg of D3/kg of diet. In the progeny study, the average relative biological value of 25-OHD3 at the 3,125 and 12,500 ng/kg levels were 115 and 101%, respectively. The potency of 25-OHD3 in relation to vitamin D3 depended on the level tested. When comparing vitamin D sources, 25-OHD3 had greater potency than D3 only at very low levels of supplementation.

Topics: Aging; Animal Feed; Animals; Calcifediol; Chick Embryo; Chickens; Cholecalciferol; Dietary Supplements; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Fertility; Male; Weight Gain

Four experiments were conducted using Ross x Ross chicks hatched from broiler breeder hens fed various levels of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3; 0 to 4,000 IU/kg of diet) to determine the effect of the maternal diet on the performance and leg abnormalities of the progeny. Chicks hatched from eggs laid by the hens at different ages were used in experiments 1 to 4. The studies were conducted in an ultraviolet light-free environment as split plot designs, with Ca levels or 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD3) in the chicks' diet as the whole plot, and vitamin D3 in the maternal diet as a subplot. Chicks in experiments 1 and 2 were fed 2 levels of Ca (0.63% or 0.90%) and chicks in experiments 3 and 4 were fed 6 levels of 25-OHD3 (0 to 40 microg/kg of diet). Significant increases in body weight gain (BWG) of the progeny were observed in experiments 1, 2, and 4 as the vitamin D3 level in the maternal diet increased. Chicks hatched from eggs laid by hens fed the highest levels of D3 had the highest tibia ash. Significant reductions in Ca rickets incidence (experiments 1 and 2) and tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) incidence (experiment 1) were observed as the level of vitamin D3 in the maternal diet increased. Chicks fed lower levels of Ca had lower BWG and tibia ash and higher incidences of TD and Ca rickets than chicks fed higher levels of Ca. Increasing the level of 25-OHD3 in the chicks' diet significantly improved BWG, tibia ash, and plasma Ca and reduced TD and Ca rickets incidence. An overall evaluation of the study indicates that chicks from hens fed the highest levels of vitamin D3 and fed high levels of Ca or 25-OHD3 had the highest BWG, tibia ash, and plasma Ca, and the lowest incidences of TD and Ca rickets.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Bone and Bones; Calcifediol; Calcium; Chickens; Cholecalciferol; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Male; Poultry Diseases; Rickets; Weight Gain

This study investigated the effects of synthetic and natural sources of vitamin D biofortification in pig diets on pork vitamin D activity and pork quality. One hundred and twenty pigs (60 male, 60 female) were assigned to one of four dietary treatments for a 55 d feeding period. The dietary treatments were (1)50 μg vitamin D₃/kg of feed; (2)50 μg of 25-hydroxvitamin D₃/kg of feed (25-OH-D₃); (3)50 μg vitamin D₂/kg of feed; (4)50 μg vitamin D₂-enriched mushrooms/kg of feed (Mushroom D₂). The pigs offered the 25-OH-D₃ diet exhibited the highest (P < 0.001) serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and subsequently exhibited the highest (P < 0.05) Longissimus thoracis (LT) total vitamin D activity. Mushroom D

Topics: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2; Agaricales; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Antioxidants; Calcifediol; Cholecalciferol; Crosses, Genetic; Ergocalciferols; Female; Food Quality; Food, Fortified; Humans; Ireland; Male; Meat; Muscle, Skeletal; Nutritive Value; Pigments, Biological; Random Allocation; Sus scrofa; Weight Gain

Vitamin D facilitates calcium absorption and bone building. Presence of vitamin D is highly important in pregnant women due to its effect on the development of the fetal skeleton. The study population comprised 208 low-risk pregnant women of a heterogeneous population. Maternal and fetal serum concentrations of vitamin D were measured using the Liaison 25(OH)D Assay (DiaSorin, Italy).. Maternal vitamin D serum concentrations correlate with neonatal vitamin D serum concentrations but do not affect neonatal weight and/or head circumference. WHAT IS KNOWN? • Vitamin D is known to be also involved in immunomodulation and cellular proliferation and differentiation. • Vitamin D is highly important in pregnant women for its effect on fetal musculoskeletal and neurological development. WHAT IS NEW? • No association was detected between maternal or neonatal vitamin D concentration with neonatal growth parameters or obstetrical complications, and no association was found between maternal vitamin D serum concentrations and maternal obstetrical complication rate. • A strong correlation was demonstrated between maternal and neonatal serum vitamin D concentrations.

Topics: Adult; Birth Weight; Body Height; Cholecalciferol; Female; Fetal Blood; Fetal Development; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins; Weight Gain

Topics: Breast Feeding; Cholecalciferol; Dietary Supplements; Energy Metabolism; Exercise; Female; Humans; Male; Milk, Human; Mothers; Motor Activity; Obesity; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Public Health; Sedentary Behavior; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins; Weight Gain

Chronic alcohol abuse results in decreased bone mineral density (BMD), which can lead to increased fracture risk. In contrast, low levels of alcohol have been associated with increased BMD in epidemiological studies. Alcohol's toxic skeletal effects have been suggested to involve impaired vitamin D/calcium homeostasis. Therefore, dietary vitamin D supplementation may be beneficial in reducing bone loss associated with chronic alcohol consumption. Six-week-old female C57BL/6J mice were pair-fed ethanol (EtOH)-containing liquid diets (10 or 36% total calories) for 78 days. EtOH exposure at 10% calories had no effects on any measured bone or serum parameter. EtOH consumption at 36% of calories reduced BMD and bone strength (P<0.05), decreased osteoblastogenesis, increased osteoclastogenesis, suppressed 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] serum concentrations (P<0.05), and increased apoptosis in bone cells compared with pair-fed controls. In a second study, female mice were pair-fed 30% EtOH diets with or without dietary supplementation with vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol; VitD) for 40 days. VitD supplementation in the EtOH diet protected against cortical bone loss, normalized alcohol-induced hypocalcaemia, and suppressed EtOH-induced expression of receptor of nuclear factor-κB ligand mRNA in bone. In vitro, pretreatment of 1,25(OH)2D3 in osteoblastic cells inhibited EtOH-induced apoptosis. In EtOH/VitD mice circulating 1,25(OH)2D3 was lower compared with mice receiving EtOH alone (P<0.05), suggesting increased sensitivity to feedback control of VitD metabolism in the kidney. These findings suggest dietary VitD supplementation may prevent skeletal toxicity in chronic drinkers by normalizing calcium homeostasis, preventing apoptosis, and suppressing EtOH-induced increases in bone resorption.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Biomechanical Phenomena; Body Composition; Body Weight; Bone Density; Bone Marrow; Bone Remodeling; Cells, Cultured; Central Nervous System Depressants; Cholecalciferol; Ethanol; Female; Femur; Gene Expression; Humans; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Osteoblasts; Osteoclasts; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal; RNA; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Vitamin D; Vitamins; Weight Gain

1. An experiment was conducted with broiler female chicks (720) to study the effects of graded concentrations (75, 15, 225 or 30 microg/kg) of cholecalciferol (CC) in diets containing varying levels of calcium (Ca) and non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) at a 2:1 ratio (4:2, 5:25, 6:3 or 7:35 g/kg, respectively), on the performance (2-35 d of age), bone mineralisation and mineral (Ca, P, Mn, Fe, Cu) concentration in excreta. 2. Body weight gain, food intake, tibia density and tibia ash increased, and leg abnormality score decreased with dietary increase of CC from 75 to 30 microg at 4 g Ca and 2 g NPP. However, this improvement was not comparable with the birds receiving the highest concentrations of CC, Ca and NPP (30 microg, 7 g and 3.5 g, respectively/kg diet). 3. Significant improvements in the majority of parameters noted with increasing CC up to 225 microg at 5 g Ca and 25 g NPP/kg, which was comparable to those fed the highest levels of CC, Ca and NPP. 4. Concentrations of Ca, P, Mn, Fe and Cu in excreta decreased significantly with increasing CC at all Ca:NPP ratios tested. 5. The predicted requirement of CC for most of the parameters ranged between 1625 and 25 microg/kg diet at 5 g Ca and 25 g NPP. 6. Considering the performance, bone mineralisation, and mineral concentration in excreta, it can be concluded that Ca and NPP levels in broiler diet could be reduced to 5 and 25 g, respectively, while maintaining CC at 25 microg/kg.

Topics: Animals; Bone Density; Calcification, Physiologic; Calcium, Dietary; Chickens; Cholecalciferol; Diet; Feces; Female; Minerals; Nutritional Requirements; Phosphorus, Dietary; Tibia; Weight Gain

Six experiments were conducted using Ross x Ross chicks hatched from eggs laid by broiler breeder hens fed various levels of vitamin D3 (0 to 4,000 IU/kg of diet) to determine the effects of vitamin D3 level in the maternal diet on the performance and leg abnormalities of their progeny. Chicks hatched from eggs laid when hens were 27, 41, 29, 36, 45, and 52 wk of age were used in experiments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, respectively. The studies were conducted in a ultraviolet (UV)-light-free environment. Experiments 1 and 2 were conducted as complete randomized designs with the maternal diets as the treatments, and experiments 3, 4, 5, and 6 were conducted as split plot designs, with vitamin D3 in the chick diets as the whole plot and vitamin D3 in the maternal diet as a subplot. Chicks in experiments 1 and 2 were fed a vitamin D3-deficient diet, whereas chicks in experiments 3 and 4 were fed 4 levels of vitamin D3 (0 to 400 IU/kg of diet), and chicks in experiments 5 and 6 were fed 6 levels of vitamin D3 (0 to 3,200 IU/kg of D3). The highest body weight gains and tibia ash were observed in chicks hatched from hens fed the highest levels of vitamin D3 in all experiments. Reductions in the incidence of Ca rickets were observed in experiments 3 and 6, whereas increases in tibia ash were observed in experiments 2 and 6 as the level of vitamin D3 in the maternal diet increased. Body weight gain and tibia ash increased and Ca rickets incidence decreased as the vitamin D3 level in chick diets increased. An evaluation of the study indicates that chicks hatched from eggs laid by hens fed 2,000 or 4,000 IU of D3/kg as the maximum level of vitamin D3 had the highest body weight gains, and chicks fed 3,200 IU had the highest body weight and tibia ash and the lowest TD and Ca rickets incidences.

Topics: Aging; Animals; Bone and Bones; Chick Embryo; Chickens; Cholecalciferol; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Female; Poultry Diseases; Weight Gain

Because of the Ca dependency of the calpains, oral supplementation of vitamin D3 (VITD) can increase the Ca content of muscle to activate the calpains and improve tenderness. Feedlot steers (n = 142) were arranged in a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement consisting of four levels of VITD (0, 0.5, 1, and 5 million IU/[steer x d]) for eight consecutive days antemortem using three biological types (Bos indicus, Bos taurus-Continental, and Bos taurus-English). Feedlot performance factors of ADG, DMI, and G:F were measured, and carcass quality, yield, and color data were collected. Plasma Ca and P concentrations were measured during d 4 to 6 of supplementation and at exsanguination, and carcass pH and temperature were measured in the LM at 3 and 24 h postmortem. Vitamin D3 treatment at 5 million IU/(steer x d) decreased ADG (P < 0.05) over the supplementation and feed intake for the last 2 d of feeding compared with untreated control steers. Likewise, G:F was decreased (P = 0.03) in steers supplemented with 5 million IU/d compared with controls. Overall, there was a linear decrease (P < 0.01) in ADG and G:F as a result of VITD supplementation. Plasma concentrations of Ca and P were increased (P < 0.05) by VITD concentrations of 1 and 5 million IU/(steer x d). All VITD treatments increased (P < 0.05) LM temperature at 3 h postmortem and pH at 24 h postmortem. Vitamin D3 treatments did not affect (P = 0.07) any other carcass measurements, including USDA yield and quality grade; thus, any improvements in meat tenderness as a result of VITD supplementation can be made without adversely affecting economically important carcass factors. Biological type of cattle did not interact with VITD treatment for any carcass or feedlot performance trait. Although feeding 5 million IU/(steer x d) of VITD for eight consecutive days had negative effects on performance, supplementing VITD at 0.5 million IU/ (steer x d) did not significantly alter feedlot performance.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Body Constitution; Breeding; Calcium; Calpain; Cattle; Cholecalciferol; Dietary Supplements; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Energy Intake; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Male; Meat; Phosphorus; Pigmentation; Postmortem Changes; Random Allocation; Time Factors; United States; United States Department of Agriculture; Weight Gain

Three series of experiments were conducted with fast-growing chickens in order: to evaluate the effects of dietary Ca and P on cholecalciferol metabolism and expression; to determine dietary Ca requirements; to determine dietary P requirements. The results of the first series confirmed previous results on the effects of dietary Ca and P on some variables of vitamin D metabolism and expression, Ca homeostasis and P metabolism in the young chicken (1- to 21-d-old), and extended them to older birds (22- to 43-d-old). The bone formation rate and the duodenal calbindin content were maintained at high levels until the age of 43 d. Dietary Ca or P restriction increased duodenal calbindin and decreased bone ash in both 22- and 43-d-old chickens, but the effect on bone ash was less pronounced in the 43-d-old birds than in the younger ones. These results suggest that: (a) the capabilities for adaptation to dietary Ca and P restriction remain high during the whole growing period; (b) the growing broilers express a high adaptive capability even when the diet contains the recommended Ca and P contents. The results of the second and third series of experiments suggest that: (c) unlike the Ca requirements of the 1- to 22-d-old chick, P requirements for growth and bone ash are similar, and are as high in the older chicks as in the younger ones (7.4-8.3 g P/kg or 4.8-5.7 g non-phytate P/kg diet); (d) although growth and bone ash in the 29- to 43-d-old chickens appear to be less sensitive to dietary Ca content, within a range close to the calculated P requirement, 10 g Ca/kg diet appears to be required for best tibia mineralization, and to a lesser extent for better growth at this age.

Topics: Aging; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Bone and Bones; Calbindins; Calcium; Calcium, Dietary; Chickens; Cholecalciferol; Diet; Duodenum; Female; Male; Phosphorus; Phosphorus, Dietary; S100 Calcium Binding Protein G; Weight Gain

1. A series of 5 trials was conducted with Cobb chickens in order to determine the effect of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25OHD3) on their performance and bone development under adequate Calcium (Ca) and Phosphorus (P) supplementation, and under moderate dietary restriction of Ca and P. Formulated beadlets of 25OHD3, trade name HY-D (IsoGen, Naperville, IL, USA) were used as the 25OHD3 source. 2. Five to 10 microg of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) or 25OHD3/kg diet were sufficient to ensure normal body weight (BW) and bone ash in chickens under continuous lighting. The two materials had similar effects on BW and bone ash. 3. In one out of the three experiments, 25OHD3 increased BW and BW gain, while in the others it had a similar effect to that of vitamin D3, or even a slight negative effect in a trial conducted on the floor, in which the diets were supplemented with the D sources at 75 microg/kg. The effects of both D sources on bone ash and on the severity or frequency of tibial dischondroplasia were similar. 4. 25OHD3 restrained the effect of moderate dietary P restriction, but not of Ca restriction, on BW gain and bone ash in 22-d-old chickens. This effect could not be explained by an higher P bioavailability in the 25OHD3-fed chickens.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Biological Availability; Body Weight; Bone and Bones; Bone Development; Calcifediol; Calcium; Calcium, Dietary; Chickens; Cholecalciferol; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Male; Minerals; Phosphorus, Dietary; Random Allocation; Weight Gain

To study the 'in vivo' importance of vitamin D on the natural killer (NK) activity, rats were submitted to privational rickets induced by a diet deficient in vitamin D and phosphorus (D-P-). Thirty days after the beginning of treatment the animals showed low body weight, changes in the bone development, and decreased levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) (25-OH D(3)). NK activity, evaluated using a cytotoxicity assay against 51Cr-labeled Yac.1 target cells, was not modified by the rickets-inducing treatment during the first 30 days. Following a long-term treatment (60 days) the rachitic rats (D-P-) exhibited higher NK activity than control animals (D+P+) (P<0.05). On the other hand, D-P+ animals showed higher cytotoxic activity than D-P- and D+P+ groups. Feed replacement to the rachitic rats by a complete diet (D-P-/D+P+) led to a partial recuperation of growth, bone development, and 25-OH D(3) serum levels. The NK activity was also influenced by vitamin D intake, decreasing after treatment.

Topics: Animals; Bone Development; Calcifediol; Cells, Cultured; Cholecalciferol; Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; Diet; Killer Cells, Natural; Kinetics; Male; Phosphorus; Rats; Rats, Inbred Lew; Rickets; Spleen; Tumor Cells, Cultured; Vitamin D Deficiency; Weight Gain

The present study was performed to evaluate the potential of microbial phytase and cholecalciferol (D3) for improving the utilization of phytate P and Ca and the influence of the Car:total (t) P ratio in a corn-soybean meal diet fed to broilers from hatch to 21 d of age. A 4 x 4 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments was used: 1.1, 1.4, 1.7, and 2.0:1 Ca:tP ratio; 0, 300, 600, and 900 U of phytase/kg of diet; and 66 and 660 micrograms of D3/kg of diet. Another four treatments were included: the four Ca:tP ratios with 6,600 micrograms of D3 addition, but without phytase. Added phytase linearly increased (P < 0.001) BW gain, feed intake, toe ash content, and P and Ca retention; these measurements were negatively influenced by widening the dietary Ca:tP ratio, and synergetically improved by addition of D3. Increasing the Ca:tP ratio decreased (P < 0.001) all measurements in the presence or absence of supplemental phytase and D3. Dietary Ca:tP ratios between 1.1:1 to 1.4:1 appears critical to the efficient use of supplemental phytase and D3 for improving the utilization of phytate P and Ca. The addition of D3 in corn-soybean meal diets indicated a potential for improving the utilization of phytate P and Ca by increasing Ca and P retention by about 5 to 12% in birds, which led to an increase in toe ash content (P < 0.03). The enhanced phytate P utilization (P < 0.001) was also observed during assay of the phytase activity in the mixed diets with an addition of D3 and without added phytase. In summary, the findings of this study suggested that phytase, D3, and Ca:tP are important factors in degrading phytate and improving phytate P and Ca utilization in broilers.

Topics: 6-Phytase; Aging; Animal Feed; Animals; Calcium; Calcium, Dietary; Chickens; Cholecalciferol; Diet; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Glycine max; Male; Minerals; Phosphorus; Phosphorus, Dietary; Random Allocation; Weight Gain; Zea mays

Commercial and laboratory-strain crossbred chicks responded (P < .01) markedly to 1alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol (1alpha-OH D3) during the 2nd and 3rd wk of life. Bone-ash responses exceeded 50% when this compound was added at 20 microg/kg to phosphorus (P)-deficient corn-soybean meal diets containing surfeit levels (25 microg/kg) of cholecalciferol (D3). Phosphorus excretion was decreased (P < .01) and, thus, retention was increased (P < .01) when 1alpha-OH D3 was supplemented. A P-deficient (.10% P) casein-amino acid purified diet, devoid of D3, was used to determine whether 15 microg/kg of D3 was sufficient to facilitate optimal absorption of the nonphytate P contained in this diet. Bone ash responded to .075% P addition (KH2PO4), and chicks fed diets with .175% nonphytate P exhibited further bone-ash responses to 15 microg/kg of D3 or 10 microg/kg 1alpha-OH D3. Higher levels of either of these D3 compounds did not produce additional responses. This suggested that 15 to 25 microg/kg of D3 in a P-deficient corn-soybean meal diet (.28% phytate P and .14% nonphytate P) is more than adequate to facilitate optimal absorption of the nonphytate P present in the diet. A P-deficient casein-dextrose diet (.13% nonphytate P and 15 microg/kg D3) was fed in the final chick assay, and chicks fed this diet did not show bone ash responses to 1alpha-OH D3 or to microbial-derived phytase (1,470 units/kg). Thus, with P-deficient corn-soybean meal diets containing at least 15 microg D3/kg, 1alpha-OH D3 supplementation markedly increased weight gain and bone ash because it increased the utilization of phytate P.

Topics: Animals; Chickens; Cholecalciferol; Diet; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Glycine max; Hydroxycholecalciferols; Minerals; Phosphorus; Phosphorus, Dietary; Phytic Acid; Random Allocation; Tibia; Weight Gain; Zea mays

The interaction of dietary aluminum (as aluminum sulfate) and vitamin D on growth performance and calcium and phosphorus metabolism was investigated using male broiler chicks. A corn-soybean broiler starter diet, containing .88% Ca and .45% available P and without added cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), was fed with 0 or .2% Al and with 0, 100, or 200 ICU of vitamin D3/kg of diet in a complete factorial arrangement. Four replicate cages of 10 chicks, 1 day of age, were assigned to each dietary treatment. Average body weight gain (328 versus 545 g), feed intake (611 versus 784 g), gain:feed (.54 versus .68), and plasma inorganic P (4.2 versus 6.7 mg/dL) were significantly reduced (P < .05) in chicks fed diets with .2% Al, compared with those fed 0% Al. These four variables were improved by increasing the level of vitamin D3 in the diet from 0 to 100 ICU/kg. However, further improvements were not obtained by elevating the vitamin D3 level to 200 ICU/kg. There were significant interactions of Al and vitamin D3 on gain, feed intake, and gain:feed, but not on plasma P. Gain and feed intake were significantly decreased by Al at each level of vitamin D3. Plasma total Ca was significantly increased by vitamin D3, but was unaffected by Al. Increasing the level of dietary vitamin D3 did not completely alleviate the negative effects of Al.

Topics: Aluminum; Animals; Calcium; Chickens; Cholecalciferol; Drug Interactions; Magnesium; Male; Phosphorus; Weight Gain

Two experiments were designed to determine the effect of dietary boron on broiler cockerels and four experiments were conducted to determine whether an interaction exists among dietary boron, cholecalciferol, and calcium. The parameters measured were weight gain, feed efficiency, tibia bone ash, rickets, tibial dyschondroplasia, and plasma minerals. All experiments were conducted with tibial dyschondroplasia-inducing basal diets fed to broiler cockerels from 1 to 16 days of age. Experiments 1 and 2 had four levels of dietary boron (0, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg (Experiment 1) and 0, 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg (Experiment 2). Boron had no effect on weight gain, feed efficiency, or plasma minerals in either experiment. In Experiment 2, increasing levels of boron had no influence on tibial dyschondroplasia but did exert a quadratic effect on bone ash with 5 and 10 mg/kg boron increasing bone ash. In Experiment 1, bone ash and the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia were unaffected, but the severity of tibial dyschondroplasia linearly increased by increasing boron levels. Experiments 3 to 6 had a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments with calcium at .65 and .90%, cholecalciferol at 110 and 1,100 ICU/kg, and boron at 0 and 40 mg/kg (Experiments 3 to 5) or 0 and 3 mg/kg (Experiment 6). The higher levels of calcium and cholecalciferol improved weight gain, decreased the incidence of rickets, and decreased the incidence and severity of tibial dyschondroplasia. Feeding cholecalciferol at 1,100 ICU/kg increased plasma calcium and plasma dialyzable phosphorus and decreased plasma magnesium. Calcium at .90% had no effect on plasma magnesium or plasma dialyzable phosphorus and increased plasma calcium only in Experiment 4. The only response to boron in Experiments 3 to 6 was a boron effect and a boron by cholecalciferol interaction on bone ash in Experiment 3, in which boron reduced bone ash at .65% calcium and 110 ICU/kg cholecalciferol. From these experiments, there is no indication that an interaction among boron, cholecalciferol, and calcium exists in broiler cockerels.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Bone Development; Boron; Calcium; Calcium, Dietary; Chickens; Cholecalciferol; Magnesium; Male; Osteochondrodysplasias; Phosphorus; Poultry Diseases; Rickets; Tibia; Weight Gain

In a individual feeding experiment (348 days) 24 fattening bulls were given either a ration high in roughage (2.8 kg concentrate mixture, wheat straw ad libitum: group I) or high in concentrate (5.6 kg concentrate mixture, wheat straw ad libitum group II) supplemented with various levels of vitamin D3 (0, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000 and 8,000 IU per 100 kg body weight (bw) and day) and minerals as required. After 58, 101, 134, 172, 205, 277 and 340 days 25-OH-D3 plasma concentration was estimated. Fattening and slaughtering parameters were measured. The 25OH-D3 plasma concentration was significantly influenced by vitamin D3 supply, kind of ration and day of taking samples. 25-OH-D3 plasma concentration decreased below 5 ng per ml when vitamin D3 supply was less than or equal to 250 IU per 100 kg bw and day. The initial plasma levels were maintained when 500 IU vitamin D3 per 100 kg bw and day was given (6.6 ng per ml). Administration of greater than or equal to 1,000 IU per 100 kg bw and day increased 25OH-D3 plasma level (greater than 10 ng/ml). Plasma 25OH-D3 concentration was significant higher when bulls consumed diets rich in concentrate (10.6 and 18.2 ng/ml for I and II after 340th day). Differences in content of cell walls and crude fat of rations may be responsible for results. Daily weight gain of bulls amounted to 712 and 945 g when fed diets I or II. Dry matter intake and live weight gain were not significantly influenced by different vitamin D3 supply. Clinical symptoms of rachitis did not appear.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Calcifediol; Cattle; Cholecalciferol; Dietary Fats; Dietary Fiber; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Eating; Male; Weight Gain

The effects of different types of diet and resecting 50% of the distal small intestine on the digestive and metabolic utilization of protein were studied in resected rats and sham-operated controls. Nutritional parameters were analyzed at 1 and 3 months postsurgery. Intestinal resection led to a deterioration in digestive utilization of protein, which improved with time (3 months postsurgery). A qualitative change in the dietary fat source from 100% olive oil to equal parts of medium chain triglycerides, sunflower seed oil and olive oil and this same diet supplemented with vitamin D3 favoured digestive utilization of protein as recorded 1 month after surgery. However, the beneficial effects were maintained at 3 months only in resected rats given dietary fat in the form of 100% olive oil.

Topics: Animals; Blood Proteins; Cholecalciferol; Diet; Dietary Fats; Dietary Proteins; Digestion; Eating; Female; Intestine, Small; Male; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Triglycerides; Weight Gain

Because previous studies indicated that cimetidine (CIMET) and isoniazid (ISON) may inhibit vitamin D metabolism in both rats and humans, experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of these drugs on growth and bone development in male broiler chicks. Chicks were fed a corn and soybean meal basal diet containing various levels of the drugs for 21 days. Body weight gain (BWG), feed consumption per bird (FB), tibia ash (TA), tibia breaking force (TBF), and plasma calcium levels were measured. In birds fed a diet supplemented with 1,100 ICU D3/kg, CIMET at up to 300 ppm resulted in a significant linear decrease in TA as the drug level increased. Birds fed ISON up to 405 ppm had inconsistent responses in TA and TBF. Body weight gain was only depressed with the highest level of ISON (405 ppm). The effects of feeding 0, 150, or 300 ppm CIMET were also investigated when chicks were fed 200 or 1,000 ICU per kg vitamin D3. The interaction between vitamin D3 and CIMET was significant for BWG, FCB, TA, and TBF. These were significantly reduced as the CIMET level increased for birds fed the low vitamin D3 diet but were not significantly affected when fed the high D3 diet. In another study in which chicks were fed a diet with 1,100 ICU vitamin D3, lowering the dietary Ca, or P, or both did not result in any effect of CIMET on the chicks. The results indicate that CIMET possibly interferes with normal bone formation in chicks by altering vitamin D3 metabolism.

Topics: Animals; Bone Development; Bone Diseases; Calcium; Chickens; Cholecalciferol; Cimetidine; Isoniazid; Male; Tensile Strength; Tibia; Time Factors; Weight Gain

A total of 3,888 broiler chicks (Vantress x Arbor Acre) were used in a study involving 81 dietary treatments to determine the interactions among vitamins A, D3, E, and K in broiler chicks. Three levels of each fat-soluble vitamin representing deficient, optimum, and excessive amounts were included. Significant observations were: effect of vitamin A levels on feed efficiency (P less than .01), plasma vitamin A (P less than .01), and plasma vitamin E (P less than .01); effect of vitamin D levels on body weight gain (P less than .01) and mortality (P less than .05); effect of vitamin E levels on plasma vitamin A (P less than .01); effect of vitamin A x vitamin D interaction on body weight gain (P less than .02) and plasma vitamin E (P less than .05); effect of vitamin A x vitamin E interaction on mortality (P less than .01), plasma vitamin A (P less than .03), and plasma vitamin E (P less than .01); effect of vitamin D x vitamin K interaction on feed efficiency (P less than .05); effect of vitamin A x vitamin D x vitamin E interaction on plasma vitamin E concentration (P less than .01); effect of vitamin A x vitamin E x vitamin K interaction on mortality (P less than .05). The results of this study suggest that higher supplemental levels of vitamins D and K would improve performance of poultry occasionally being fed high supplemental levels of vitamins A and E.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animal Feed; Animals; Chickens; Cholecalciferol; Computer Graphics; Diet; Eating; Random Allocation; Vitamin A; Vitamin E; Vitamin K; Weight Gain

Seven experiments were conducted to test the influence of dietary supplementary ascorbic acid on the development of tibial dyschondroplasia in broiler chickens. Ascorbic acid supplementation significantly reduced the incidence and number of birds with a large mass of cartilage in the tibia in the first experiment but not in the two subsequent experiments. Because environmental temperature, microbial infection, and vitamin D3 status had been reported in the literature to influence ascorbic acid metabolism in the chicken, experiments were conducted to see if these variables could influence supplemental ascorbic acid effects on development of tibial dyschondroplasia. Results of the experiments indicated that none of these factors influenced the effect of ascorbic acid on the development of tibial dyschondroplasia. The presence of vitamin D3 in the diet significantly influences the incidence of this disorder.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Chickens; Chlortetracycline; Cholecalciferol; Male; Osteochondrodysplasias; Poultry Diseases; Temperature; Vitamin D Deficiency; Weight Gain