Effects of dietary aluminum in combination with reduced calcium and phosphorous on the ring dove (Streptopelia risoria)

Abstract

Elevated levels of Al have been reported in surface waters and in certain aquatic organisms including aquatic insects in areas receiving acidic precipitation. It has been suggested that Al can affect avian reproduction. In this study, Ring doves were assigned to a control group fed a diet reduced in Ca and P and to a treated group fed the same diet supplemented with 0.1% Al. A four month dosing period did not result in any effect on egg production, fertility or hatchability. Eggshell permeability was decreased initially but subsequently recovered to a normal level. Dietary aluminum sulphate did not affect plasma Ca, P nor Mg levels of adults nor did it affect the pattern of growth nor the final weight of chicks fed on the same diet. There was a tendency for Al to accumulate in the sternum of growing doves fed levels up to 1500 ppm Al. Neither reproduction nor growth of this species were influenced by levels of Al equivalent to those occuring in areas receiving acid deposition. However, the results of a preliminary experiment suggest that decreasing the dietary levels of Ca and P below 0.9% and 0.5% respectively, in combination with excess A1 (0.075%) caused significant impacts upon reproduction and growth. Similar experimental findings have been reported in the literature for domestic birds where levels of dietary A1 exceeded those of Ca and P.