Abstract
Tibial mechanical, chemical, and histomorphometrical traits were investigated for growing male Ross 308 broiler chickens fed diets that had copper (Cu) from organic source at a lowered level of 25% of the daily requirement (4 mg kg−1 of a premix) with or without phytase. Dietary treatments were control non-copper, non-phytase group (0 Suppl); 4 mg kg−1 Cu non-phytase group (25%Cu); and 4 mg kg−1 Cu + 500 FTU kg−1 phytase group (25%Cu + phyt). The results show that birds fed with the addition of phytase exhibited improved weight gain and final body weight and had increased serum IGF-1 and osteocalcin concentrations. The serum concentration of Cu and P did not differ between groups; however, Ca concentration decreased in the 25%Cu + phyt group when compared to the 25%Cu group. Added Cu increased bone Ca, P, Cu, and ash content in Cu-supplemented groups, but bone weight and length increased only by the addition of phytase. Bone geometry, yield, and ultimate strengths were affected by Cu and phytase addition. A decrease of the elastic stress and ultimate stress of the tibia in Cu-supplemented groups was observed. The histomorphometric analysis showed a positive effect of Cu supplementation on real bone volume and trabecular thickness in the tibia metaphyseal trabeculae; additionally, phytase increased the trabeculea number. The supplementation with Cu significantly increased the total articular cartilage and growth plate cartilage thickness; however, the changes in thickness of particular zones were dependent upon phytase addition. In summary, dietary Cu supplements given to growing broilers with Cu in their diet restricted to 25% of the daily requirement had a positive effect on bone metabolism, and phytase supplementation additionally improved cartilage development.
Highlights
Copper (Cu) as an essential trace element has many physiological functions in animals and humans, including skeletal mineralization, erythropoiesis, leukopoiesis, connective tissue synthesis, myelin formation, melanin pigment synthesis, catecholamine metabolism, thermal regulation, cholesterol metabolism, immune function, cardiac function, and glucose metabolic regulation [1, 2]
The chickens were assigned to either a control group, or a group fed with lowered level of organic Cu in the form of glycinate chelate (Cu-Gly) as experimental group I
Our study showed that phytase addition to broilers supplemented with 4 mg kg−1 of organic Cu increased the final body weight, growth rate, and percentage tibia ash as compared to the broilers whose diets were devoid of copper or those without added phytase
Summary
Copper (Cu) as an essential trace element has many physiological functions in animals and humans, including skeletal mineralization, erythropoiesis, leukopoiesis, connective tissue synthesis, myelin formation, melanin pigment synthesis, catecholamine metabolism, thermal regulation, cholesterol metabolism, immune function, cardiac function, and glucose metabolic regulation [1, 2]. It is known that Cu takes part in bone metabolism as an essential co-factor needed for the action of lysyl oxidase [3] This Cu-dependent enzyme initiates the critical process of covalent cross-linkage formation in elastin and collagen in bones and other connective tissues [1, 4]. Studies on Cu supplementation indicate that Cu deficiency leads to bone loss (osteopenia or osteoporosis), demineralization, a failure of ossification of growth centers, and neuropenia [1, 2] It is caused mainly by the decreased function of osteoblasts (bone tissue-forming cells) because the action of osteoclasts (bone tissue-resorbing cells) remains unaffected [3]. All of these phenomena lead to the decrease in bone mechanical strength and result in consequent fractures [4, 6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
