Research Note: Interactive Effects of Sodium Zeolite A and Eimeria acervulina Infection on Growth and Tissue Minerals in Chicks

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to assess the interactive effects of dietary sodium zeolite A (SZA) and experimental Eimeria acervulina infection on growth and tissue mineral concentrations in chicks. The average initial weight of the chicks was 71.8 g, and the experimental periods were from 5 to 15 days posthatching. In both experiments, the corn-soybean meal basal diet was supplemented with 0 or .75% SZA and fed to uninfected chicks or to chicks infected with 4 × 105 sporulated E. acervulina oocysts on Days 0, 3, and 6 of the experiments. Both coccidial infection and SZA reduced (P < .05) gain and feed intake; however, feed efficiency was reduced (P < .01) only in the coccidiosis-infected chicks. Neither SZA nor the coccidial infection affected (P > .10) plasma Ca or P, tibia P, liver Ca, Zn, Fe, or Mn, or pancreas Cu. Sodium zeolite A increased (P < .05) plasma Zn but only in uninfected chicks (SZA by coccidiosis, P < .10). The coccidial infection decreased (P < .02) tibia ash percentage. Sodium zeolite A decreased tibia Ca in uninfected chicks but increased tibia Ca in coccidiosis-infected chicks (SZA by coccidiosis, P < .10). The coccidial infection increased (P < .05) tibia Mg, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, and Al concentrations. Dietary SZA also increased (P < .02) tibia Zn, Mn, and Al concentrations. The coccidial infection decreased (P < .02) tibia Zn concentration, and SZA decreased (P < .05) tibia Mg and Fe. Sodium zeolite A by coccidiosis interactions (P < .10) were evident in tibia Zn, Fe, Mn, and Al concentrations. Both dietary SZA and E. acervulina infection influence tissue mineral content of chicks, and coccidiosis may exacerbate tibia Mn and Al accumulation observed in chicks fed SZA.