The effects of dietary 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and hydroalcoholic extract ofWithania somniferaroot on bone mineralisation, strength and histological characteristics in broiler chickens

Abstract

1. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1, 25 (OH)2 D3) and a hydroalcoholic extract of Withania somnifera (WS) root on performance, mineral retention, bone mineralisation, bone mechanical and bone histological characteristics of broiler chicks. 2. A 2 × 3 × 2 factorial experiment consisted of a positive control diet with adequate Ca and a negative control diet (Ca concentration reduced by 30%), three concentrations of WS (0, 75 and 150 mg/kg diet), and two concentrations of 1, 25 (OH)2 D3 (0 and 0.5 μg/kg diet). 3. A total of 600 male one-d-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into 60 floor pens, with 10 birds each. Each treatment was replicated 5 times (50 birds). Diets were given ad libitum from one to 42 d of age. On d 21 and 42, one bird per replicate was killed and tibiae were removed. 4. Dietary treatments did not affect feed intake and feed conversion. The maximum body weight gain (2475 g) was noted in birds fed on a diet adequate in Ca and supplemented with 75 mg/kg WS. 5. The Ca and P retentions were significantly higher in birds that were given a diet with 30% less Ca. Supplementation of 150 mg/kg WS significantly improved Ca retention in birds receiving a negative control compared to those given a positive control diet (83.0% vs. 66.3%). Ca retention was significantly improved with the addition of 0.5 μg/kg 1, 25 (OH)2 D3 to the diet containing 75 mg/kg WS, regardless of dietary Ca concentration (79.5 vs. 73.3 and 77.9 vs. 68.9). 6. On d 21, birds that received WS had significantly higher tibia Ca compared to those of controls. No significant effects on tibia Ca were noted at 42 d. Birds given a negative control diet supplemented with 75 mg/kg WS and 0.5 μg/kg 1, 25 (OH)2 D3 displayed a similar tibia Ca compared to those given only 150 mg/kg WS. Dietary supplementation of 1, 25 (OH)2 D3 significantly increased tibia Ca and tibial mineralised zone width in birds at 42 d of age. 7. Tibia shear force and stiffness were significantly increased by supplementation of WS. Administration of 1, 25 (OH)2 D3 resulted in a significantly lower width of the proliferative zone at 21 d of age. Reduction of the Ca supply significantly reduced the mineralised zone and cortical thickness at this age. 8. The present study showed that WS supplementation improved Ca retention, bone calcification and mechanical properties with no adverse effects on performance. Also, synergistic effects of WS and 1, 25 (OH)2 D3 were observed on Ca retention and bone calcification.

Effects of 1.25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol and Hydroalcoholic Extract of Withania Coagulans Fruit on Bone Mineralization and Mechanical and Histological Properties of Male Broiler Chickens

“…Withanolides and flavonoids were found to be the preferred chelator for the preparation of collagen inhibitors (Krishnamoorthy et al, 2011). The results of the present study are consistent with the report of Mirakzehi et al (2013), who found that dietary supplementation of 1.25-(OH) 2 D 3 improved mineralized zone width. An in-vitro study reported that 1.25-(OH) 2 D 3 regulates c-myc protein level (Minghetti & Norman, 1988).…”

“…This interaction clearly showed that supplementation of WC at level of 100 mg/kg improved dietary Ca retention in broilers fed the negative control diet compared with those fed the positive control diet (84.67% vs. 71.03%; p<0.01). These observations confirm the previous report of Mirakzehi et al (2013), who found greater Ca retention at a supplementary WS level of 150 mg/kg in broilers fed a negative control diet.…”

“…Dietary treatments did not affect ALP activity at none of the ages evaluated (p>0.05). Our study confirms the findings of Mirakzehi et al (2013), who reported that 1.25-(OH) 2 D 3 increased serum P concentration in birds fed a diet with 30% less Ca. The significantly higher serum P concentration in the birds fed the negative control diet might have been related to elevated levels of P retention in this group.…”

“…No effects (p>0.05) were observed on growth performance or ash retention ( Mirakzehi et al (2013), who reported that Ca and P retention increased when dietary Ca decreased to 70% of the recommended concentration. Previous published research revealed that birds fed low-Ca diets presented greater Ca retention compared with those offered adequate Ca level (Mitchell & Edwards, 1996;Plumstead et al, 2008).…”

The effects of hydroalcoholic extracts ofWithania somniferaroot,Withania coagulansfruit and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on immune response and small intestinal morphology of broiler chickens

“…In a study conducted on chickens, Mirakzehi et al (2013) showed that dietary supplementation of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 and hydroalcoholic extract of WS at the level of 0.5 μg/kg and 75 or 150 mg/kg, respectively, had no effects on BWG, FI, and FCE. In another study conducted on laying hens in agreement with the findings of current study it was reported that a diet supplemented with 65 or 130 mg/kg of WS extract had no significant effects on FI and FCE (Tahmasbi et al 2012).…”