Flaxseed oil and vitamin K effect on turkey bone mineralization and strength

Abstract

Domestic turkeys exhibit a high frequency of leg problems associated with rapid growth and heavy bird weight. We hypothesized that administering a diet high in vitamin K and flaxseed oil rich in n‐3 PUFA to turkeys early in development would improve bone strength. One hundred and twenty‐eight male turkeys were assigned to one of four groups in a rank‐stratified design: 1) control diet containing corn oil (n‐3/n‐6 = 0.021) and normal vitamin K levels (menadione sodium bisulfite, 2.2 mg/kg diet); 2) high vitamin K diet containing corn oil and high vitamin K (2.2 g/kg diet); 3) flaxseed oil diet (n‐3/n‐6 = 0.213) containing flaxseed oil and normal levels of vitamin K and; 4) high vitamin K/flaxseed oil diet. Diets were administered 80 days. At days 17, 38, 59 and 80 eight birds from each group were sacrificed. BMC was measured using DXA and bone mineral ash. The mechanical strength of the tibiotarsus was determined using a three‐point bending test. Results indicated flaxseed oil treatment significantly increased ultimate bending strength and modulus of elasticity (Tukey‐Kramer multiple comparison test, p<0.05). Vitamin K significantly reduced the effect of flaxseed oil. The data indicate flaxseed oil may be used to increase bone strength in growing turkeys. Supported by a BYU Mentored Environment Grant.