Bone Ca Research Articles

Effects of supplementation with 1,25(OH)2D3-glycoside of herbal origin in the diet of nursery piglets

Context To provide adequate dietary vitamin D in nursery piglets, 1,25(OH)2D3-glycoside could be a potential alternative to supplements currently in use. Aims The effect of this supplement on apparent total tract nutrient digestibility, growth performance, health status, and bone traits was assessed in nursery piglets. Methods Digestibility was assessed in 30 piglets (23.8 ± 3.32 kg), and growth performance in 135 weaned piglets (8.0 ± 0.53 kg). Both trials used randomized complete block designs based on bodyweight, with five treatments: −D3: no vitamin D supplementation; +D3: 100% of the vitamin D requirement supplied as cholecalciferol; and +D3 + 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 μg of 1,25(OH)2D3-glycoside. Key results From Day 21 to 35, piglets fed D3 + 1.0 diet showed greater average daily gain compared to −D3 or D3 + 1.5, and a greater average daily feed intake was observed in piglets fed +D3, D3 + 0.5, and D3 + 1.0 compared to −D3 or D3 + 1.5. From Day 0 to 7, diarrhoea prevalence was lower in piglets fed D3 + 1.0 compared to −D3, D3 + 0.5, and D3 + 1.5. Across the entire period, animals fed D3 + 1.0 had lower diarrhoea prevalence compared to D3 + 0.5. Serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations was lowest in −D3 piglets. Leukocyte concentrations were greater in piglets on D3 + 1.0 than with D3 + 1.5, whereas eosinophil concentrations were lowest in piglets fed D3 + 0.5. Alkaline phosphatase activity was higher in piglets on +D3 than with D3 + 0.5 or D3 + 1.5. The greatest and lowest bone Ca contents were observed in treatments D3 + 1.5 and D3 + 0.5, respectively. The bone magnesium contents was lowest in piglets fed -D3. Conclusions Adding 1,25(OH)2D3-glycoside to diets containing adequate vitamin D contents as cholecalciferol did not increase serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations, but physiological and metabolic parameters were improved and, in general, 1.0 μg of 1,25(OH)2D3-glycoside showed the best effects on performance, serum vitamin D, health status, and bone traits. Implications This research has provided new information on the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3-glycoside supplementation in diets for nursery piglets and has shown its potential use for bolstering general health.

Relationship between abdominal fat volume and bone base material pairs from dual-energy spectral computed tomography in young and middle-aged patients with metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has complex effects on bone health, and dual-energy spectral computed tomography (CT) has become increasingly valuable for bone quantification. However, the relationship between bone base material pairs (BMPs) and abdominal fat volume in patients with MetS remains underexplored. This study thus aimed to analyze the relationship between abdominal fat volume and various bone BMPs using dual-energy spectral CT in young and middle-aged patients with MetS. Patients with MetS who underwent sleeve gastrectomy at the Center of Obesity and Metabolic Diseases, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, from June to November 2021 were retrospectively collected. The abdominal fat measurements and BMPs were acquired using dual-energy spectral CT imaging. These included the volumes of total abdominal fat (TAF), abdominal visceral fat (AVF), and abdominal subcutaneous fat (ASF), as well as bone densities based on hydroxyapatite (water), i.e., HAP (water), and calcium (water), i.e., Ca (water), BMPs. After grouping the patients by sex, we analyzed the differences in clinical and imaging features. The correlation between the clinical and imaging parameters of patients with MetS was evaluated with Pearson correlation coefficients. Age- and sex-adjusted partial correlation analysis between fat volume and bone BMPs was conducted for patients of different sexes. Additionally, multiple linear regression analyses were performed with age, sex, and TAF volume as the independent variables and with Ca (water) and HAP (water) as dependent variables. A total of 112 young and middle-aged patients with MetS were included in this study, including 85 females and 27 males. Compared to male patients with MetS, the females with MetS exhibited higher lumbar Ca (water) and HAP (water) BMPs, with lower volumes of TAF and AVF and a smaller abdominal circumference (P<0.01). The volumes of TAF, AVF, and ASF were negatively correlated with the average Ca (water) and HAP (water) BMPs in the first to third lumbar vertebrae (L1-L3) (P<0.05). Ca (water) and HAP (water) BMPs decreased with age and increasing TAF volume (P<0.001). The fitted equations for the relationship between bone BMPs with age, sex, and TAF volume were as follows: (I) bone Ca (water) BMP = 76.469 - 0.500 age + 6.762 sex - 0.002 TAF volume; (II) bone HAP (water) BMP =171.704 - 1.138 age + 11.825 sex - 0.004 TAF volume. In young and middle-aged patients with MetS, the abdominal fat volume was negatively correlated with lumbar bone Ca (water) and HAP (water) BMPs, implying that increased abdominal fat volume may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of osteopenia among those with MetS. The reduction of bone Ca (water) and HAP (water) with high abdominal fat volume may hold clinical significance for fracture risk in individuals with MetS.

Differences in intestinal and renal Ca and P uptake in three different breeds of growing-finishing pigs

This study investigated the differences in bone growth and turnover and calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) uptake among three different breeds of growing-finishing pigs. Ninety healthy Duroc, Xiangcun black (XCB), and Taoyuan black (TYB) pigs (30 pigs per breed) at 35 day-old (D) with the average body weight (BW) of their respective breed were assigned and raised to 185 D. The results showed that Duroc pigs had higher bone weight and length than the XCB and TYB pigs at 80, 125, and 185 D and the bone index at 185 D (p < 0.05). Duroc pigs had higher bone mineral densities (femur and tibia) compared with the other two breeds at 80 D and 125 D, whereas TYB pigs had higher mineral content and bone breaking load (rib) compared with the other two breeds at 185 D (p < 0.05). The bone morphogenetic protein-2 and osteocalcin concentrations were higher, and TRACP5b concentration was lower in serum of TYB pigs at 125 D (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, parathyroid hormone, thyroxine, and fibroblast growth factor 23 concentrations were higher in serum of TYB pigs at 185 D (p < 0.05). The TYB pigs had higher apparent total tract digestibility of P at 80 D and 185 D and bone Ca and P contents at 185 D in comparison to the Duroc pigs (p < 0.05). Furthermore, gene expressions related to renal uptake of Ca and P differed among the three breeds of pigs. Collectively, Duroc pigs have higher bone growth, whereas TYB pigs have a higher potential for mineral deposition caused by more active Ca uptake.

Supplemental effect of Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM I-4622 probiotic on the laying characteristics and calcium and phosphorus metabolism in laying hens

The close link between intestinal microbiota and bone health (‘gut-bone’ axis) has recently been revealed: the modulation of the amount and nature of bacteria present in the intestinal tract has an impact on bone health and calcium (Ca) metabolism. Probiotics are known to favorably impact the intestinal microbiota. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM I-4622 (PA) on laying performance, egg/eggshell quality, Ca metabolism and bone mineralization and resistance in relatively old layers (50 wks old at the beginning of the experiment) during 14 weeks. 480 Hy Line brown layers were divided into 2 groups (CON and PA: 3 layers/rep, 80 rep/group) and fed with a diet formulated to be suboptimal in calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) (− 10% of the requirements). The total egg weight was improved by 1.1% overall with PA, related to an improvement of the weight of marketable eggs (+ 0.9%). PA induced a decreased % of downgraded eggs, mainly broken eggs (− 0.4 pts) and FCR improvement (− 0.8% for all eggs, − 0.9% for marketable eggs). PA also led to higher Haugh units (HU: + 7.4%). PA tended to decrease crypt depth after the 14 weeks of supplementation period in the jejunum (− 25.2%) and ileum (− 17.6%). As a consequence, the VH/CD ratio appeared increased by PA at the end of the trial in the jejunum (+ 63.0%) and ileum (+ 48.0%). Ca and P retention were increased by 4 pts following PA supplementation, translating into increased bone hardness (+ 19%), bone cohesiveness (+ 43%) and bone Ca & P (+ 1 pt) for PA-supplemented layers. Blood Ca and P were respectively improved by 5% and 12% with PA. In addition, blood calcitriol and osteocalcin concentrations were respectively improved by + 83% and + 3% in PA group at the end of the trial, compared to CON group. There was no difference between the 2 groups for ALP (alkaline phosphatase) and PTH (parathyroid hormone). PA significantly decreased the expression of the following genes: occludin in the small intestine, calbindin 1 in the ovarian tissue and actin B in the bone. PA therefore improved zootechnical performance of these relatively old layers, and egg quality. The parallel increase in Ca and P in the blood and in the bone following PA supplementation suggests an improvement of the mineral supply for eggshell formation without impacting bone integrity, and even increasing bone resistance.

Impact of infrasound exposure and streptozotocin-induced glucose intolerance on bone composition in Wistar rats

The elemental composition of chemical elements can vary between healthy and diseased tissues, providing essential insights into metabolic processes in physiological and diseased states. This study aimed to evaluate the calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) levels in the bones of rats with/without streptozotocin-induced diabetes and/or exposure to infrasound. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy was used to determine the concentrations of Ca and P in Wistar rat tibiae samples.The results showed a significant decrease in bone P concentration in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats compared to untreated animals. Similarly, the Ca/P ratio was higher in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic group. No significant differences were observed in bone Ca concentration between the studied groups or between animals exposed and not exposed to infrasound.Moreover, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats had lower bone P concentration but unaltered bone Ca concentration compared to untreated rats. Infrasound exposure did not impact bone Ca or P levels. The reduced bone P concentration may be associated with an increased risk of bone fractures in diabetes.

43 Evaluating the effects of HiPhorius phytase added in diets at or below the P requirement on nursery pig growth performance and bone mineralization

Abstract A total of 297 pigs (DNA 241 × 600; initial body weight = 8.64 ± 0.181 kg) were used in a 21-d trial to evaluate the effects of HiPhorius phytase (dm-firmenich, Parsippany, NJ) on pig growth performance and bone mineralization. All pigs were fed P depletion diets (0.09% aP) for a 3-d period before the start of the study (d 14 after weaning). Pens of pigs were then assigned to 1 of 5 treatments in a randomized complete block design with 5 pigs per pen and 12 replications per treatment. The first three diets were formulated to contain 0.09% aP; without added phytase (control), or control with 600 or 1,000 FYT/kg of added phytase (considering a release of 0.15 or 0.18% aP, respectively). The remaining two diets were formulated to contain 0.27% aP, one without added phytase and the other with 1,000 FYT/kg. One pig per pen was euthanized on d 21 and the right fibula, 10th rib, and metacarpal were collected to determine bone density, bone ash, and bone Ca and P. From d 0 to 21, increasing phytase in diets containing 0.09% aP increased (linear, P ≤ 0.002) average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and gain to feed ratio (G:F) and increased percentage bone ash in metacarpals and 10th ribs (linear, P &amp;lt; 0.001; quadratic, P = 0.004, respectively), and increased grams of Ca and P in all three bones (linear, P ≤ 0.027; Table). Adding 1,000 FYT/kg in diets with 0.27% aP did not impact growth performance, but increased percentage bone ash (P ≤ 0.038) in all bones and grams of Ca and P in fibulas and 10th ribs (P ≤ 0.023) compared with pigs fed 0.27% aP without added phytase. Increasing aP from 0.09% to 0.27% in diets without added phytase increased (P &amp;lt; 0.001) ADG, ADFI, and G:F and increased bone density (P ≤ 0.002) in fibulas and metacarpals, percentage bone ash in all bones (P ≤ 0.074), and increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) grams of Ca and P in fibulas and 10th ribs. Increasing aP from 0.09 to 0.27% aP in diets with 1,000 FYT added phytase increased bone density (P ≤ 0.008) in fibulas and metacarpals, percentage bone ash in all bones (P ≤ 0.002), and grams of Ca and P in fibulas and 10th ribs (P &amp;lt; 0.05). For growth performance (average of ADG and G:F), aP release was calculated to be 0.170% for 600 FYT/kg and 0.206% for 1,000 FYT/kg. For the average of all 3 bone measurements (average of 3 bones for bone density and percentage bone ash), aP release was calculated to be 0.120% and 0.125% for 600 and 1,000 FYT/kg, respectively.

Response of cows with osteomalacia grazing sub-tropical native pastures to phosphorus supplementation with loose mineral mix or feed blocks

Osteomalacia outbreaks often occur in cattle grazing native pastures in regions with endemic phosphorous (P) deficiency. This study evaluated the responses of two groups of cows, initially with clinical signs of chronic P deficiency, to P supplements (100 g P/kg) offered ad libitum for 13 weeks as a loose mineral mix (LMM group) or the same mineral mix offered as blocks (BMM group). Half of the cows in each group were categorized as ‘with’ or ‘without’ severe osteopenia according to a test that depended on the resistance to penetration of a needle through the left lateral process of the L4-L5 lumbar vertebra. The groups grazed two paddocks that were switched each 3 weeks. The liveweight, supplement intakes, and the P-concentrations in soil, forage, blood, and external cortical bone (ECB) of the ribs were measured.The bicarbonate-extractable P in soil was 3.5 mg/kg. The mean of total P in forage (0.95 g/kg/DM), inorganic P in serum (iP, 0.96 mmol/L), and total P in the ECB of the ribs (85 mg/mL) at the beginning of the experiment were all low and consistent with severe chronic P deficiency. The P supplementation allowed clinical recovery in 18/20 cows with their serum and ECB P and calcium approaching normal values and in the two remaining cows the only sign was abnormal gait. Cows consumed more of the LMM than BMM supplement (means 8.3 and 6.6 g P/day, respectively). After 13 weeks cows initially classified as ‘with severe osteopenia’ and supplemented with LMM had higher (P < 0.05) final liveweight (difference = 21.6 kg), iP (difference = 0.74 mmol/L), bone Ca (difference = 65.7 mg/mL) and bone P (difference = 26.5 mg/mL) concentrations and lower (P < 0.01) final serum Ca/iP ratio (difference = −0.65) than cows with severe osteopenia but supplemented with BMM. The treatment of severe P deficiency cows grazing P deficient sub-tropical grasslands by P supplementation for 13 weeks was more effective with LMM than BMM.

Moderate consumption of freeze-dried blueberry powder increased net bone calcium retention compared with no treatment in healthy postmenopausal women: a randomized crossover trial

BackgroundPreclinical studies suggest that blueberry consumption is associated with improved bone health. ObjectivesWe conducted a blueberry dose-response study in ovariectomized (OVX)-rats that informed a study in postmenopausal women using the urinary appearance of calcium (Ca) tracers from prelabeled bone to reflect changes in bone balance. We hypothesized that blueberry consumption would reduce bone loss in a dose-dependent manner compared with no treatment. MethodsOVX rats were fed 4 doses of blueberry powder (2.5%, 5%, 10%, and 15%) in randomized order to determine bone 45Ca retention. Fourteen healthy, nonosteoporotic women ≥4 y past menopause were dosed with 50 nCi of 41Ca, a long-lived radioisotope, and equilibrated for 5 mo to allow 41Ca deposition in bone. Following a 6-wk baseline period, participants were assigned to a random sequence of 3 6-wk interventions, a low (17.5 g/d), medium (35 g/d), or high (70 g/d) dose of freeze-dried blueberry powder equivalent to 0.75, 1.5, or 3 cups of fresh blueberries incorporated into food and beverage products. Urinary 41Ca:Ca ratio was measured by accelerator mass spectrometry. Serum bone resorption biomarkers and urinary polyphenols were measured at the end of each control and intervention period. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model and repeated measures analysis of variance. ResultsIn both OVX rats and postmenopausal women, blueberry interventions benefited net bone calcium balance at lower but not at higher doses. In women, net bone calcium retention increased by 6% with the low (95% CI: 2.50, 8.60; P < 0.01) and 4% with the medium (95% CI: 0.96, 7.90; P < 0.05) dose compared with no treatment. Urinary excretion of hippuric acid increased dose-dependently with blueberry consumption. No significant relationships were found between bone resorption biomarkers, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and interventions. ConclusionsModerate consumption (<1 cup/d) of blueberries may be an effective strategy to attenuate bone loss in healthy postmenopausal women.This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02630797.

Comparison of digestible and available phosphorus release values for a novel phytase determined with fecal phosphorus digestibility and bone mineralization in weaner pigs

The objective of this study was to compare digestible and available P release from phytase through measuring fecal P digestibility and bone mineralization. A total of 336 weaner pigs (7.4 ± 0.9 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design. Three diets were established by including 2.5 (control), 6.0 or 9.5 g/kg monocalcium phosphate (MCP) to establish the standard response curves. The other 4 diets included a novel phytase at 500, 1000, 2000 or 3000 phytase units (FYT)/kg feed to the control. Each diet was fed to 6 pens of 8 pigs each for 21 days. All diets included 3 g/kg TiO2, and fecal samples were collected on d 13–15 of trial. At the end, one pig per pen was sacrificed for the collection of tibias. The results showed that increasing supplementation of MCP linearly (P < 0.001) improved growth performance (body weight gain, feed intake and gain:feed and bone mineralization (percent bone ash and weights of dry bone, bone ash, and bone Ca and P). These parameters responded to the supplementation of phytase both linearly and quadratically (P < 0.01). Supplemental phytase or MCP increased apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of Ca and P as well as the amount of ATTD P, but reduced the ATTD Ca-to-ATTD P ratio both linearly and quadratically (P < 0.01). Both MCP and phytase linearly (P < 0.05) increased percent bone ash P. The true total tract digestibility (TTTD) coefficient of P in MCP was estimated to be 0.94 by regressing the ATTD P against the dietary P concentration. The available P release increased from 1.58 to 2.21, 1.77–2.62, 1.17–1.82 and 1.25–1.97 g/kg feed when body weight gain, gain:feed, percent bone ash and bone P weight were used as the response variables, respectively, with increasing phytase dose from 500 to 3000 FYT/kg feed, whereas the digestible P release by phytase calculated from ATTD coefficient of P increased from 1.05 to 1.99 g/kg feed. By multiplying the TTTD coefficient of MCP (0.94), the available P release values based on bone P weight were transformed to their equivalent digestible values of 1.18–1.86 g/kg feed. In conclusion, the available P release from phytase depends on the response variables. Using the TTTD coefficient of P in MCP to convert the available P release values to digestible P values for phytase did not generate comparable results as measured from ATTD coefficient of P.

The effects of increasing dietary total Ca/total P ratios on growth performance, Ca and P balance, and bone mineralization in nursery pigs fed diets supplemented with phytase.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of increasing dietary total Ca/total P ratios on growth performance, digestibility of Ca and P, bone mineralization, and concentrations of Ca and P in urine and plasma in nursery pigs. There were six diets in a randomized complete block design, including one positive control and five diets corresponding to five total Ca/total P ratios: 0.55, 0.73, 0.90, 1.07, and 1.24 (analyzed as 0.58, 0.75, 0.93, 1.11, and 1.30). These five diets were deficient in P but supplemented with 1,000 phytase units/kg feed. Each diet was fed to six pens of eight pigs (four barrows and four gilts per pen). All diets contained 3 g/kg TiO2, and fecal samples were collected from each pen on days 5-7 of trial. At the end, one pig per pen was sacrificed to collect the right tibia and urine in the bladder. The results showed that increasing dietary Ca/P ratio to 0.93 increased gain:feed but then gain:feed decreased as the Ca/P ratio was increased to 1.30 (linear and quadratic, P < 0.05). Although average daily gain and final BW were unaffected by changing Ca/P ratio in diet, dry bone weight; weights of bone ash, Ca and P; and bone Ca/P ratio increased linearly (P < 0.001) with increasing dietary Ca/P ratio. The percent bone Ca showed a tendency to increase (P = 0.064). Increasing dietary Ca/P ratio decreased apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of Ca and P linearly (P < 0.05) and the concentration of digestible P linearly (P < 0.001), but increased the concentration of digestible Ca (linear and quadratic effects: P < 0.01) and the digestible Ca/P ratio (linear effect: P < 0.001). In plasma, the concentration of Ca increased both linearly (P < 0.01) and quadratically (P = 0.051), whereas the concentration of P tended (linear and quadratic, P < 0.10) to decrease with increasing dietary Ca/P ratio. Similarly, in urine, the concentration of Ca increased both linearly and quadratically (P < 0.05), whereas the concentration of P decreased linearly (P < 0.01). In conclusion, increasing the dietary Ca/P ratio reduced feed efficiency but increased bone mass and the amounts of Ca and P deposited in bone of nursery pigs fed diets supplemented with 1,000 FYT/kg phytase. The increases in bone growth led to a reduction of urinary P excretion that exceeded the decreased digestible P supplied in diet with the widening dietary Ca/P ratios.

Daily Egg-Cycle in Japanese Quail: Serum Biochemistry, Bones, and Oviduct Changes

This study described changes in the serum biochemistry, morphology of genital organs, long bone, and eggshell during the daily egg formation cycle in Japanese quails. Sixty quails (18-wk) were distributed in 6 groups according to hours post-oviposition (POV): 0 hr POV (16h00), 2 hrs POV (egg in magnum), and 4, 8, 14, and 20 hrs POV (egg in uterus). The magnum had higher relative weight before the next ovulation (20 and 0 hr POV), and its tubular glands showed functional variation through periods: abundant eosinophilic, PAS+, and negative Alcian blue secretion at 0 and 2 hrs, empty glands aspect at 4 hrs, and filled again at 20 hrs POV. Serum albumin and total Ca had the highest value in the 2 hrs group, and the lowest in 8 and 14 hrs groups. Egg-cycle period affected the Ca% of the medullar bone of the femur and tibiotarsus, with the lowest mean at 14 hrs POV (06h00), and the highest mean after oviposition (0 hr POV), showing the recovery of Ca stores in long bones for the next egg cycle. Analysis of the eggshell using scanning electron microscopy evidenced that palisade layer formation starts during the night (8-14 hrs POV), and most parts are secreted during the day period. In conclusion, eggshell secretion in light periods, high magnum activity and medullary bone Ca deposition during midday and afternoon, as well as the ovulation/oviposition in the afternoon, are the main characteristics of the distinct physiological aspects of the egg cycle in quails.

Serum bone remodeling parameters and transcriptome profiling reveal abnormal bone metabolism associated with keel bone fractures in laying hens

Keel bone fractures affect welfare, health, and production performance in laying hens. A total of one hundred and twenty 35-wk-old Hy-line Brown laying hens with normal keel (NK) bone were housed in furnished cages and studied for ten weeks to investigate the underlying mechanism of keel bone fractures. At 45 wk of age, the keel bone state of birds was assessed by palpation and X-ray, and laying hens were recognized as NK and fractured keel (FK) birds according to the presence or absence of fractures in keel bone. The serum samples of 10 NK and 10 FK birds were collected to determine bone metabolism-related indexes and slaughtered to collect keel bones for RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq), Micro-CT, and histopathological staining analyses. The results showed that the concentrations of Ca, phosphorus, calcitonin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, and osteocalcin and activities of alkaline phosphatase and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in serum samples of FK birds were lower than those of NK birds (P < 0.05), but the concentrations of parathyroid hormone, osteoprotegerin, and corticosterone in serum samples of FK birds were higher than those of NK birds (P < 0.05). TRAP staining displayed that FK bone increased the number of osteoclasts (P < 0.05). Micro-CT analysis indicated that FK bone decreased bone mineral density (P < 0.05). Transcriptome sequencing analysis of NK and FK bones identified 214 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (|log2FoldChange| > 1, P < 0.05), among which 88 were upregulated and 126 downregulated. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway (KEGG) analysis indicated that 14 DEGs related to skeletal muscle movement and bone Ca transport (COL6A1, COL6A2, COL6A3, PDGFA, MYLK2, EGF, CAV3, ADRA1D, BDKRB1, CACNA1S, TNN, TNNC1, TNNC2, and RYR3) were enriched in focal adhesion and Ca signaling pathway, regulating bone quality. This study suggests that abnormal bone metabolism related to keel bone fractures is possibly responded to fracture healing in laying hens.

Use of fixed calcium to phosphorus ratios in experimental diets may create bias in phytase efficacy responses in swine.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of two dietary total Ca/P ratios on available P release by phytase, measured using growth performance and bone mineralization with 528 barrows and gilts according to a randomized complete block design. Three were 11 diets in a factorial of 2 by 4 plus 3, including 3 reference diets consisting of 0.25% (control), 0.70%, or 1.15% monocalcium phosphate (MCP) and 8 diets from combining 4 phytase doses (500, 1,000, 2,000, and 3,000 FYT/kg) with 0.25% MCP and 2 dietary Ca/P ratios (1.05 and 1.20). Each diet was fed to 6 pens of 8 pigs. All diets contained 3 g/kg TiO2, and fecal samples were collected from each pen on d 13–15 of trial. At the end of trial, one pig per pen was sacrificed to collect a tibia and urine in the bladder. The results showed that MCP improved growth performance linearly (P < 0.01), whereas both a linear and quadratic response was observed with the addition of phytase. The MCP increased the percent bone ash and weights of bone ash, Ca, and P linearly (P < 0.01). At both Ca/P ratios, increasing supplementation of phytase increased the percent bone ash and weights of bone ash, Ca, and P both linearly and quadratically (P < 0.05). Both MCP and phytase significantly increased digestibility of Ca and P as well as digestible Ca and P in diets and reduced the digestible Ca/P ratio. The dietary Ca/P ratio of 1.20 resulted in poorer feed utilization efficiency, more digestible Ca, greater percent bone ash, Ca, and P and heavier weights of bone Ca and P than the ratio of 1.05 (P < 0.05). The ratio of 1.20 elicited numerically higher available P release values from phytase, with percent bone ash and bone P weight as the response variables, but significantly lower values with gain:feed. The urinary concentration of Ca increased linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing digestible Ca/P ratios whilst urinary concentration of P decreased quadratically (P < 0.01). In conclusion, fixing the same total Ca/total P ratio in diets supplemented with increasing phytase dosing created an imbalance of digestible Ca and P, which could have an adverse effect on bone mineralization and thus compromise the phytase efficacy relative to mineral P.

Impact of incubation temperature profile on chick quality, bone, and immune system during the late period of incubation of Cobb 500 broiler strain

The present study was conducted to examine the impact of incubation temperature profile on embryonic growth and chick quality post-hatch. Hatching eggs (n = 405) were incubated in a Jamesway PS-5000 single-stage incubator at 37.5°C and 56% RH until embryonic day 14 (ED14). At ED14, 135 eggs each were transferred into 3 identical G.Q.F. MFG. CO incubators, and each set to one of the following incubation temperatures: 36.5°C, 37.0°C, and 37.5°C. Data on eggshell temperature (EST) and embryo quality were collected from ED15 to ED20. At hatch, chick quality and leg bone qualities were assessed. Blood collected from chicks was used to assess hematological and immunological parameters. The remainder of the chicks was reared on standard broiler feed for 8 wk to measure growth performance. Data were analyzed using the SAS Proc. GLM at P ≤ 0.05. The daily EST was higher at 37.5°C incubation temperature compared to 36.5°C and 37.0°C during ED15 to ED21. Chicks of 37.5°C had early external pipping and hatching times compared to 36.5°C. There were no significant differences in external chick quality parameters. The chick leg bone Ca and P levels increased with increasing incubation temperature at day old, 4 wk, and 8 wk. Besides mean corpuscular hemoglobin and concentration, which were higher at 37.5°C compared to 36.5°C and 37.0°C, all blood parameters measured were not different. Bone mineral levels may not be the same as bone development. Therefore, appropriate incubation and nutritional strategies are needed to increase bone development, and broiler growth to reduce leg problems.

Evaluation of the efficacy of a novel phytase in short-term digestibility and long-term egg production studies with laying hens

Three independent trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a novel phytase in laying hens. Trial 1 used a total of 90 laying hens (Lohmann Brown, 33-wk-old) fed either a negative control (NC) diet with 0.09% non-phytate P (NPP) or NC supplemented with 187.5 or 375 FYT phytase/kg feed for 4 d before collection of excreta and ileal digesta to measure ileal digestibility and retention of Ca and P. In trial 2 and 3, a total of 108 laying hens (Hy Line Brown, 25-wk-old) and 360 hens (Lohman Brown, 25-wk-old) were used, respectively. In both trials, the hens were randomly assigned to 3 dietary treatments: NC with 0.1% NPP, positive control (PC) and NC plus 187.5 FYT phytase/kg feed, the experimental diets were fed for 12 wk, and egg production and bone mineralization were measured. The results showed that the ileal digestibility of P increased both linearly (P = 0.012) and quadratically (P = 0.01) with increasing supplementation of phytase in trial 1. In trial 2, phytase supplementation significantly improved egg production, egg weight, and feed conversion ratio and reduced the percentage of broken eggs during the overall trial duration compared with NC. In trial 3, phytase significantly improved egg production, egg weight, and feed intake and reduced the percentage of broken eggs during the entire trial duration. In addition, percentage and weight of bone Ca and P increased significantly with added phytase. In trial 2 and 3, there was no significant difference between PC and the phytase treatment. In conclusion, the novel phytase significantly increased the ileal digestibility of P in a short-term digestibility study and improved egg production and bone mineralization in a 12-wk laying cycle. Ileal digestibility of P rather than P retention in short-term digestibility studies as well as egg production and whole tibia mineralization in long-term studies should be measured to demonstrate the efficacy of phytase in laying hens.

PHARMACOLOGICAL MODULATION OF PARATHYROID HORMONE RECEPTOR SIGNALING TO POTENTIATE THE THERAPEUTIC EFFICACY OF PARATHYROID HORMONE IN OSTEOARTHRITIS

Purpose: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease of the joint, with no disease modifying treatment. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) binds to PTH type-1 receptor (PTH1R), a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) expressed in growth plate and articular chondrocytes. In growth plate chondrocytes, PTH1R-Gαs signaling prevents chondrocyte hypertrophy. Treatment with exogenous PTH has demonstrated chondroprotective and chondroregenerative effects in OA mice, however, the potential side effects due to the anabolic signaling of PTH in the subchondral bone can’t be overlooked.

Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Chrysin and Naringenin in a Drug-Induced Bone Loss Model in Rats

Oxidative stress (OS) mediators, together with the inflammatory processes, are considered as threatening factors for bone health. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of flavonoids naringenin and chrysin on OS, inflammation, and bone degradation in retinoic acid (13cRA)-induced secondary osteoporosis (OP) in rats. We analysed changes in body and uterine weight, biochemical bone parameters (bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), markers of bone turnover), bone geometry parameters, bone histology, OS parameters, biochemical and haematological parameters, and levels of inflammatory cytokines. Osteoporotic rats had reduced bone Ca and P levels, BMD, BMC, and expression of markers of bone turnover, and increased values of serum enzymes alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Malondialdehyde (MDA) production in liver, kidney, and ovary was increased, while the glutathione (GSH) content and activities of antioxidant enzymes were reduced and accompanied with the enhanced release of inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and RANTES chemokine (regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted) in serum. Treatment with chrysin or naringenin improved bone quality, reduced bone resorption, and bone mineral deposition, although with a lower efficacy compared with alendronate. However, flavonoids exhibited more pronounced antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and phytoestrogenic activities, indicating their great potential in attenuating bone loss and prevention of OP.

Calcium Requirement and Vitamin D Supplementation in Meat-Type Quail at First Stage of Growth

Currently, feed formulations for quail are based on foreign data or data from other species; this undermines productivity with the use of excessive or deficient levels of some nutrients. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the nutritional requirement levels of calcium (Ca) and supplementation vitamin D in meat-type quail from 1 to 14 d of age. The experiment was a 4 × 4 factorial arrangement of treatments (levels of Ca: 0.42, 0.58, 0.74 and 0.90% and levels of vitamin D: 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 and 4,000 IU) with 3 replicate pens and 43 quails per pen. Weight gain increased quadratically with increased levels of Ca and vitamin D; this variable yielded estimated levels of 0.73% Ca and 2,883 IU vitamin D. There was no Ca x vitamin D interaction effect on bone variables. Bone Ca, bone phosphorus, bone ash, femoral bone strength, tibial bone strength and the femoral Seedor index increased quadratically with an increase in Ca levels. These variables yielded estimated values of 0.78, 0.71, 0.78, 0.77, 0.83, and 0.71% Ca, respectively. It is concluded that the requirements of Ca and vitamin D for the maximum weight gain of meat-type quails, in the period from one to 14 days of age, were 0.73% Ca (p=0.001) and 2,883 IU vitamin D (p=0.02), respectively.

The Effects of Different Dietary Oil Sources on Broiler Chicken Bone Mineralization.

This study was designed to determine the effects of dietary hazelnut oil (HO) and sunflower oil (SO) on the mineral composition of chicken femur and tibia bones. A 40-day trial was initiated with 600 1-day-old Ross 308 chickens. Initially, the chickens were randomly divided into four main groups of 150 each according to the proportion of SO and HO supplementation in their diets: control SO (25g/kg SO), LHO (25g/kg HO), HHO (50g/kg HO), and MO (50g/kg blend of 25g/kg SO + 25g/kg HO). Each group was further divided into six subgroups of 25 chickens. At the end of the trial, four chickens from each of the six subgroups were randomly selected and slaughtered. Their right tibia and right femur bones were isolated and analyzed for macro (Ca, P, Mg) and trace (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, Cr, Co, and Se) minerals in addition to ether extract and ash. The results suggest that the diets' fat concentration and fatty acid composition significantly affected the Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Cu, Cr, and Se composition of tibia bones (p < 0.01). The ether extract and ash contents of the femur bones were increased in both HHO and MO groups (p < 0.05), while Fe and Cr compositions were lower in all femur bones, except those from SO chickens (p < 0.05). The Se content of femur bones in the LHO group was higher than the other treatment groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the amount of oil and fatty acid in the diet affected the accumulation of Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Cr minerals in the tibia bone. Moreover, the amount of Cr and Fe was lower in the femur and tibia bones in the group that received the HO supplement and all groups in which the amount of oil fed was increased.

Load Carriage Exercise Increases Calcium Absorption and Retention in Healthy Young Women

ObjectivesAerobic exercise (EX) reduces circulating ionized Ca (iCa) and increases parathyroid hormone (PTH), but the cause and consequences on Ca handling are unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of EX on Ca kinetics using dual stable Ca isotopes. MethodsTwenty-one healthy women (26.2 ± 6.7 yr; BMI: 22.8 ± 2.1 kg/m2) completed a randomized, crossover study consisting of two 6 day iterations separated by ≥2 wk. One iteration consisted of 3 d of load carriage EX 2 h after breakfast (1 hr treadmill walking at 65% VO2max wearing a vest weighing 30% body wt) on days 0, 2, 4, and the other a no-EX control (CON). Diet was controlled during each iteration, and matched to the volunteer’s usual intake. On day 0, volunteers received one IV bolus of 42Ca, and oral 44Ca with each meal (0600,1200, and 1700). Serial blood draws and 3 urine pools (U1: 0600–1000, U2: 1000–2000, U3: 2000–0800) were collected on day 0; spot urines were collected on days 1–5. Ca isotope ratios were analyzed by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry and total Ca by Siemens Dimension; fractional Ca absorption (FCA) was measured and kinetic modeling determined, rates of Ca deposition (VO+) and resorption (VO–) from bone, and bone Ca balance (Vbal). Circulating PTH and iCa were also measured before, during and after exercise. Data were analyzed by paired T-test or linear mixed models using SPSS. ResultsOn day 0, PTH increased 45 min into EX as compared to pre (+36 pg/ml, P < 0.001) with max increases 15 min post EX (+70.5 pg/ml, P < 0.001). No changes were observed during CON. Compared to pre-EX, iCa decreased at 45 min into EX (-0.14 mmol, P = 0.01) with max 15 min post EX (–0.273 mmol, P < 0.001). Urinary Ca (UCa) was lower during EX in the U1 pool (25 ± 11 mg) vs. CON (38 ± 16 mg, P = 0.001) with no differences in U2 and U3 (P > 0.05). FCA was greater during EX (26.6 ± 8.1%) compared to CON (23.9 ± 8.3%, P < 0.05). Vbal was less negative during EX (–61.3 ± 111 mg) vs. CON (–108 ± 23.5 mg, P < 0.05), but VO+ (574 ± 241 vs. 583 ± 260 mg) and VO– (–636 ± 243 vs. –692 ± 252 mg) were not different (P > 0.05). ConclusionsDuring EX, an increase in FCA and decrease in UCa resulted in a positive shift in Ca balance. The rapid reduction in circulating iCa may be due to a change in the miscible Ca pool, resulting in increased PTH and changes in intestinal and renal Ca handling that support a more positive Ca balance. Funding SourcesDefense Health Program.