Vitamin K and n‐3 fats increase bone mineralization in growing male Rhode Island Red chickens

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of high dietary vitamin K and/or omega-3 levels on bone health in chickens. Hypothesis: High levels of vitamin K and omega-3 fats in the diets will increase bone mineralization and bone strength measurements in growing male Rhode Island Red chickens. Methods: Groups of five chicks were placed on one of the following diets for 4 months. 1. Control diet (vit.K = 2.2mg/kg diet, n-3/n-6 = 0.021). 2. High vitamin K diet(vit. K = 3.3g/kg diet, n-3/n-6 = 0.021). 3. High n-3/n-6 diet (vit. K = 2.2mg/kg diet, n-3/n-6 = 0.213). 4. High vitamin K-high n-3/n-6 diet (vit. K = 2.2mg/kg diet, n-3/n-6 = 0.213). Bone mineral content of the tibia was determined at months 0, 2 and 4 using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Results were compared by ANOVA with Tukey-Kramer post-hoc analysis. Results: The average change in bone mineral content of the tibia was significantly higher for both the high n-3 diet and the high vitamin K-high n-3 diet (1.215 ± 0.419 g, p<0.05 and 1.215 ± 0.419...