Different Levels Of Calcium Research Articles

Investigating the effect of sesame meal replacement for soybean meal in diets with different levels of calcium and phytase enzyme in broiler chickens.

As a major part of the cost of broiler farms is related to their feed, breeders are looking for diets at a reasonable price. One of these affordable ingredients is sesame meal (SM), which can be used to replace soybean meal (SBM) in diets. This study aims to investigate the effect of replacing SBM with SM in diets with different levels of calcium (Ca) and phytase (Phy) during the grower (11-24 days), finisher (25-42 days) and whole phases (11-42 days) on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and blood serum parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 600 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler male chicks were randomly dispensed to 12 dietary treatments with five replicates (10 birds per replicate) based on a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement of 3×2×2 with 3 levels of SM (0%, 10% and 20%), 2 levels of Ca (standard (0.87% and 0.79% for grower and finisher phases, respectively) and 0.2% higher than the standard amount) and 2 levels of Phy (0 and 700FTU/kg diet). During the study, the significant effects of SM, Ca and Phy on the daily average body weight gain (DAWG) and daily feed intake (DFI) were observed, whereas for the feed conversion ratio, only the effect of SM was significant (p<0.05). During the finisher and whole phases, the SM and Ca levels influenced the DAWG and DFI, whereas the interaction between Phy and Ca was also significant for DAWG (p<0.05). The main effects of SM and Ca on the relative weights of breast, heart and liver were significant (p<0.05). Application of 20% of SM significantly reduced serum Ca concentration (p<0.05). Generally, the inclusion of more than 10% of SM in the broilers diet is not recommended. In addition, the use of Phy and Ca levels 0.2% higher than standard in broilers diet could improve the birds' performance.

Response of three Cucumber cultivars to Calcium foliar feeding

A field experiment was carried out for the year 2022- 2023 in Al- Dahra region located within 45.25 longitude and 31.39 latitude to find out the response of cucumber plants to foliar spraying with different levels of calcium. The experiment included nine treatments in which three cultivars of cucumber were used, namely Maha, Saturn, and Ramie cultivars. Codes V1, V2 and V3 were taken, respectively, and three calcium levels (0, 100, and 200 mg/ L). A factorial experiment was applied using completely randomized blocks (R.C.B.D) with three replications. The averages were compared according to the (L.S.D) test at a probability of 5%. The two cultivars V2 and V3were significantly superior in the characteristic of dry weight, which did not differ from each other, as they recorded the highest averages of 63.19 and 64.34 g. plant-1 , while the cultivar V3 excelled in the characteristic (number of fruits, fruit weight, and yield of a single plant) as it gave averages for these characteristics, it amounted to (22.19 fruit per plant, 104.87 g per plant, and 2.314 kg per plant), respectively. Calcium spray treatment 200 mg/ L was significantly superior in traits plant height and dry weight, and the two highest averages were 172.0 cm and 70.03 gm.plant-1 , while there is no significant difference with calcium 100 mg/ L in the number fruits, weight fruit, and one plant yield. The two- way interaction had a significant effect on dry weight and fruit weight, as the mean of these two characteristics was 74.93 g. plant-1 and 115.42 g. fruit-1 .

Chemical and Functional Properties of Mahlab Tree (Prunus mahaleb) Exudate Gum

Prunus mahaleb (Mahlab) is one of the gums-producing species of the Rosaceae family. The gums produced by many members of this family were extensively investigated except those of Mahlab. Hence, the work aims to study the chemical and functional properties of this gum which is produced from trees grown in Jordan. Exudate nodules were collected in the summer of 2021 from Mahlab trees and sorted according to their color into grades I, II, and III. The chemical composition, hygroscopicity, swelling index, water absorption, emulsification and foaming capacities, solubility, and foam stability of these grades were measured. Proximate composition showed significant (P ≤0.05) variations between the three grades in all of their proximate components except protein. Grade I had the greatest moisture and fat content of 18.0 and 3.29%, respectively. Grade III had the highest protein (though non-significantly (P&gt;0.05) different from other grades) and ash content of 1.10 and 2.91%, respectively. All grades had similar, though significantly (P≤ 0.05) different levels of calcium, sodium, potassium, and magnesium. Also, their HPLC - detected sugar profiles consisted of xylose (17.65-19.77% w/w), rhamnose (10.10-12.34%w/w), arabinose (53.35-62.01% w/w) and galactose (9.88-14.50%w/w). Results showed significant (P ≤0.05) differences between the three grades in their functional properties, with grade III having the greatest swelling index and water absorption capacity of 7.52 and 16.52%, respectively. Grade I has the greatest hygroscopicity of 6.57% while grade II has the greatest foaming capacity of 21.02%. All grades showed a non-Newtonian-type shear-thinning behavior. Based on the results of this study, it is evident that Mahlab tree exudate gums pose chemical and functional properties typical of other known hydrocolloids.

Effect of Different Levels of Calcium and Addition of Magnesium in the Diet on Garden Snails’ (Cornu aspersum) Condition, Production, and Nutritional Parameters

Edible snails are an attractive protein source due to their high growth rate, cost-efficiency, and nutritional value. Calcium is crucial for snail growth, reproduction, and shell formation, while magnesium plays a role in enzyme function and muscle tone. This study aimed to optimise calcium and magnesium levels in Cornu aspersum diets to optimise the production and technological characteristics of the derived animal products. Snails were fed specific diets in controlled conditions with varying calcium and magnesium levels (44.3, 66.1, 88.7, 103.5 Ca g/kg feed and 3.3, 5.6, 7.2 Mg g/kg feed) for four months. Their growth, shell characteristics, and meat composition were evaluated. As calcium in the feed increased, carcass and shell weights were higher. Also, the crushing force of the shells was higher with increasing amount of calcium in the feed. In the group with 10.35% calcium and 0.72% magnesium, snail growth significantly slowed down after three months, with lower mortality. It is suggested that a shortened fattening cycle by 3–4 weeks compared to the magnesium-free diet is possible. However, based on meat, shell, mortality, and feed intake analysis, a 0.56% magnesium concentration in the feed seems to give better results, as magnesium content at 0.72% might be toxic to snails. Further investigation is to confirm the possibility of neutralising the negative effects of magnesium in the diet through increasing calcium and phosphorus intake.

Growth Performance and Some Serum, Bone and Fecal Parameters of Broilers Fed with Different Levels of Calcium and Phosphorus

Aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of diet non-phytate phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) level on growth performance and some blood, bone and faeces parameters of broilers. A total of 480 one-day-old Ross 308 broilers were randomly allocated to 3 dietary treatments with 5 replicates for a 42-d study. Corn-soybean meal based diets were consisted of three different Ca and P concentrations for starter and grower periods. High, medium and low Ca and P levels in starter and grower periods were 1.05-0.49, 0.95-0.44, 0.85-0.41% and 0.87-0.42, 0.78-0.38, 0.69-0.34%, respectively. After the first 21-d feeding period, no differences were observed for feed intake (FI) but body weight (BW) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were higher (P0.05). Fecal ash, tibia and sternum weight and sternum ash were not affected from the Ca and P concentrations but tibia ash was lower (P

The active core microbiota of two high-yielding laying hen breeds fed with different levels of calcium and phosphorus.

The nutrient availability and supplementation of dietary phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) in avian feed, especially in laying hens, plays a vital role in phytase degradation and mineral utilization during the laying phase. The required concentration of P and Ca peaks during the laying phase, and the direct interaction between Ca and P concentration shrinks the availability of both supplements in the feed. Our goal was to characterize the active microbiota of the entire gastrointestinal tract (GIT) (crop, gizzard, duodenum, ileum, caeca), including digesta- and mucosa-associated communities of two contrasting high-yielding breeds of laying hens (Lohmann Brown Classic, LB; Lohmann LSL-Classic, LSL) under different P and Ca supplementation levels. Statistical significances were observed for breed, GIT section, Ca, and the interaction of GIT section x breed, P x Ca, Ca x breed and P x Ca x breed (p < 0.05). A core microbiota of five species was detected in more than 97% of all samples. They were represented by an uncl. Lactobacillus (average relative abundance (av. abu.) 12.1%), Lactobacillus helveticus (av. abu. 10.8%), Megamonas funiformis (av. abu. 6.8%), Ligilactobacillus salivarius (av. abu. 4.5%), and an uncl. Fusicatenibacter (av. abu. 1.1%). Our findings indicated that Ca and P supplementation levels 20% below the recommendation have a minor effect on the microbiota compared to the strong impact of the bird’s genetic background. Moreover, a core active microbiota across the GIT of two high-yielding laying hen breeds was revealed for the first time.

Effects of different levels of calcium and phosphorous on performance, immunity and percentage of hatching in Khorasan native hens

Effects of different levels of calcium and phosphorous on performance, immunity and percentage of hatching in Khorasan native hens

Molting, tissue calcium‑phosphorus deposition and immunity of juvenile Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) fed different levels of calcium and vitamin D3

Molting activity and innate immunity play a pivotal role in the development and growth of crustaceans and are related to mortality and body abnormality. To evaluate the synergistic effect of vitamin D3 (vit-D3) and Ca in molting and immunity in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), the crabs (3.20 ± 0.01 g) were fed six diets formulated with two Ca levels (0% and 1.5%, abbreviated D and N) and three vit-D3 levels (0, 9,000 and 27,000 IU/kg, abbreviated LVD, MVD and HVD) level for 56 days. Crabs fed 1.5% Ca and 9,000 IU/kg vit-D3 (N + MVD) had the highest growth performance, hematic-1,25-dihydroxy vit-D3, hematic‑calcium, hepatic‑phosphorus and antioxidant capacity among all groups. On the contrary, crabs fed diets without Ca reduced growth performance, tissue calcium‑phosphorus deposition, antioxidant capacity, and the expression of molting-related and immune-related genes. Compared to crab fed N + HVD (1.5% Ca + 27,000 IU/kg vit-D3), those fed D + HVD (0% Ca +27,000 IU/kg vit-D3) had significantly low growth performance and the gene expressions of molting and antibacterial immunity. This study demonstrates that adequate dietary calcium and vit-D3 can enhance growth, molting activity, antioxidant capacity and innate immunity in E. sinensis. Moreover, it provides an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanism of molting activity and antibacterial immunity in Chinese mitten crab

25-Hydroxycholecalciferol As an Alternative to Vitamin D3 in Diets with Different Levels of Calcium for Broilers Reared Under Heat Stress

The objective was to evaluate the effect of dietary 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3) or vitamin D3 (VitD3) and different total calcium (Ca) levels on the performance, carcass characteristics, blood, enzymatic, and bone biochemistry of broilers reared under heat stress between 1 and 42 days of age. A total of 504 male, Cobb 500, broiler chickens were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement (VitD3 or 25(OH)D3 × four Ca levels (100, 90, 80 and 70% of the recommendations of Rostagno et al. (2011)), eight treatments, seven replicates and nine broilers per cage. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio did not (p>0.05) vary when levels of Ca were reduced and vitamin D3 sources were supplemented in the diets from 1 to 21 days for broilers chickens. 25 (OH)D3 increased weight gain results (p<0.05). From 1 to 42 d, no differences (p>0.05) were observed on performance, carcass yields and meat quality, bone deposition of Ca and P, and alkaline phosphatase concentration. Higher serum (p<0.05) concentrations of Ca and P were found in broilers fed with 25(OH)D3. The replacement of VitD3 with 25(OH)D3 and the Ca reduction of 30% in diets did not negatively affect performance, carcass characteristics, and Ca and P deposition in the tibia of broilers at 42 days of age, under heat stress.

Egg quality analysis and performance of laying hens fed different levels of calcium

This study was conducted to examine the quality of eggs and the performance of laying hens fed different levels of calcium. The study was carried out at the Poultry Unit of University of Port Harcourt Teaching and Research Farm, Choba, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. One hundred and twenty black Harco birds were used for the study using the completely randomized design. The laying birds were fed with diets consisting of different level of calcium (Ca), which comprised mainly of limestone and bone meal such that treatment 1 (T1) had 2.5 % Ca, T2 ? 3.5%, T3 ? 4.5% and T4 ? 5.5% Ca, respectively. All the birds were raised within four treatment groups which had three replicates of 10 birds each. At the termination of the study, the eggs and the feed records were used to compute the hen-day production (HDP), feed intake, number of eggs laid per hen, dozens of eggs laid per hen, feed consumed per dozen egg, cost of feed per dozen egg produced and mortality. Six eggs were collected from each replicate to study the eggs external quality (egg weight and width, the weight of the shell, the egg shape index, egg length, shell index and thickness) and internal quality (albumen weight, yolk diameter, yolk height and index, yolk pH and pH of the albumen, albumen height, yolk weight, yolk ratio and yolk albumen ratio). The study revealed that significant (P&lt;0.05) differences existed in the performance parameters such as the hen-day production (HDP), feed intake, number of eggs laid per hen, dozens of eggs produced per hen, feed consumed per dozen egg produced and the cost of feed per dozen egg produced. The hens fed the T2 and T3had the highest HDP, those fed the T3andT4 had better feed conversion while the feed cost for T3 feed was the best (the least). Significant differences were also observed in some of the external and internal parameters of the eggs, including, the egg weight, yolk weight, yolk height, yolk index and Haugh unit (HU) while others were not affected. Although the egg from T4 had the highest HU, eggs from all the treatment were within the 'AA' group (HU of more than 72) termed high quality egg. The study showed that farmers can use Ca levels of 3.5 and 4.5% in the diet of the layers and obtain better HDP. However, the diet which had the 4.5% Ca inclusion, gave the best feed conversion and the least cost of the diet per dozen egg produced and was recommended for layers in the humid tropical zone.

Low potassium diets with different levels of calcium in comparison with different anionic diets fed to prepartum dairy cows: Effects on sorting behaviour, total tract digestibility, energy metabolism, oxidative status and hormonal response

This study investigated the effects of low potassium diets with different levels of Ca compared to two diets low in dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) fed prepartum as a strategy to prevent hypocalcemia on sorting behaviour, total tract digestibility, oxidative status and energy and protein metabolism of transition cows. Forty-eight pregnant dairy cows were assigned to 4 treatment groups: Low Ca, low K (LCLK), High Ca, low K (HCLK), Supplementation with anionic mineral mixture (AMS) supplementation with SoyChlor (CAS). After parturition, all animals were fed a standard postpartum diet. Data were collected until 21 DIM. Prepartum urinary pH was significantly reduced by the low DCAD diets, while postpartum Ca homeostasis was affected by the HCLK ration. Feeding AMS induced sorting against particles <1.18mm in favour of particles >19mm prepartum. In contrast, cows fed CAS showed an increase in selective consumption of fine particles and sorted against longer particles similar to the HCLK and LCLK groups. Postpartum sorting activity was not affected by the dietary treatments. After calving, apparent digestibility of NDF was significantly reduced in the HCLK group. Prepartum, we observed effects on serum concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids were higher and insulin sensitivity was lower in the AMS group. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was decreased in cows fed the CAS ration. Postpartum, we found serum protein to be decreased with the low DCAD diets while BUN was decreased in the CAS group. The low DCAD rations increased prepartum serum malondialdehyde concentrations, while postpartum total antioxidant capacity was lower in the HCLK and the AMS group. From these data, we conclude that AMS decreased prepartum intake due to compromised palatability. Intermediate protein metabolism was affected by the low DCAD diets, while parameters of oxidative stress were probably affected by acid-base balance and Ca homeostasis.

Effect of Silicon Supplementation in Diets with Different Calcium Levels on Bone Mineral Metabolism and Bone Status in Growing Female Rats

Abstract Objectives Silicon is important for the growth and development of bone and connective tissues. However, few studies have investigated effects of silicon supplementation on bone metabolism on growing females. We evaluated the effect of silicon supplementation on bone mineral metabolism and bone status in growing female rats fed diet with different calcium levels. Methods Sixty 6-wk-old Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided into 6 groups and fed diet with different levels of calcium (0.1%, 0.5%, 1.5%) and silicon (5 ppm, 500 ppm) for 10 weeks. We used a two-way ANOVA test to examine the difference and a significant level was set at P &amp;lt; 0.05. Results Silicon retention significantly increased by silicon supplementation and significantly decreased by high calcium diet (1.5%). Mg retention significantly decreased by high calcium diet. Serum calcium and silicon contents were not significantly different among the 6 groups. Low calcium diet (0.1% calcium) significantly increased serum osteocalcin and C-telopeptide cross-links of type I collagen (CTX) levels, and silicon supplementation significantly decreased CTX levels in the low calcium diet group. Bone mineral density was significantly increased along with greater calcium level in the diet, but was decreased by silicon supplementation in the high calcium diet. Rats in the 0.5% calcium diet group had significant increase in strength of the tibia by silicon supplementation. Conclusions According to our findings, the effect of silicon supplementation on bone metabolism may differ according to the calcium intake levels in growing females. Although further research is needed, when supplementing silicon to improve bone health in growing females, the calcium intake level should be considered. Funding Sources Korea Research Foundation.

Coherent toxicity prediction framework for deciphering the joint effects of rare earth metals (La and Ce) under varied levels of calcium and NTA

With the development of modern technologies, the exploitation and application of rare earth metals (REMs) have increased parallelly. Consequently, more REMs are entering into the environment and therefore there is a pressing need to assess their potential environmental hazards. Here, a standard toxicity test with wheat (Triticum aestivum) was conducted to investigate the single and mixture toxicity of La and Ce in solutions with different levels of calcium and nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) and results were deciphered by different modeling approaches. Both La and Ce caused adverse effect to wheat, but the presence of Ca and NTA alleviated their toxicity. The obtained EC50 for [La] or [Ce] changed by more than 28-fold and by 4-fold, respectively, with the increase of Ca or NTA. The biotic ligand model (BLM) explained approximately 93% variation of single La or Ce toxicity. The binding constants obtained were 4.14, 6.67, and 6.59 for logKCaBL, logKLaBL, and logKCeBL respectively. The electrostatic toxicity model (ETM) was proved as effective as the BLM, with R2 = 0.93 for La and R2 = 0.92 for Ce. For La–Ce mixtures, parameters from single toxicity approaches were applied successfully to predict the mixture toxicity with concentration addition (CA) model based on the BLM or ETM theory (R2 = 0.92 and RMSE = 8.56; R2 = 0.90 and RMSE = 9.6, respectively). Thus, the results obtained in this study prove that both ETM and BLM theories are appropriate to predict single and mixture REMs toxicity, providing coherent and promising tools for the risk assessment of REM pollution.

Effects of supplementation with different levels of calcium and phosphorus on mineral content of first antler, bone, muscle, and liver of farmed fallow deer (Dama dama)

Nutrition is one of the main factors influencing physiological processes, e.g., growth and antler development, in Cervidae. The aim of this study was to demonstrate a possible effect of supplementation with different levels of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) on the mineral composition of antlers and bones, and its effect on the content of macroelements — Ca, potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), and P — in the muscle tissue, liver, and blood of farmed fallow deer fawns. The results show a positive effect of increased doses of Ca and P on body weight at the age of 14 mo. Additionally, there was a significant increase in the content of Ca, Mg, Na, and P in antlers and Ca, Na, and P in bones. The muscle tissue was characterised by a significant increase only in the content of Na, whereas Ca, K, and P levels increased significantly in the liver. In turn, the serum P content decreased significantly. Adequate Ca and P supplementation exerts a positive effect on the mineral composition of bones and whole antlers of farmed fallow deer fawns, and it enhances the concentrations of macroelements in tissues, which may constitute a reservoir used for future development of antlers. It also has a positive effect on body weight.

Ответ кишечной микрофлоры цыплят-бройлеров на введение пищевых волокон в рационы с разным уровнем кальция

Ответ кишечной микрофлоры цыплят-бройлеров на введение пищевых волокон в рационы с разным уровнем кальция

Effect of calcium applications on ion accumulation in different organs of pepper plant under salt stress

The present study was carried out in a climate chamber and water culture of physiology laboratory of Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture. Demre pepper varieties are used in the study of different levels of calcium (Ca) morphological and biochemical effects of pepper plants under salt stress were investigated. The study was carried out in 16/8 hour light / dark photoperiod, 25 oC and % 70 humid climate chamber in controlled conditions. In order to determine the biochemical changes occurring in stressed plants, the amount of ions Na, K, Ca, Cl in root, stem and leaves of plants and Ca/Na ratio were determined. The accumulation of Na and Cl ions was found to decrease in root, stem and leaves as the dose of Ca increased. It can be said that increasing doses of Ca applications under salt stress are partially effective in reducing the negative effects of salt.

Medullary bone attributes in aged Lohmann LSL-lite layers fed different levels of calcium and top-dressed 25-hydroxy vitamin D3

Structural bone depletion over the course of lay cycle predisposes hens to skeletal problems. We investigated the effects of dietary calcium (Ca) and top-dressed 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (25OHD3) on attributes [relative weight, ash content (AC), and ash concentration (ACN)] in whole ulna, femur, tibia, and subparts of femur and tibia (epiphysis, medullary, and cortical) in 74-wk-old Lohmann LSL-lite layers. Four levels of Ca (3.0%, 3.5%, 4.0%, and 4.5%) and three levels of 25OHD3 (0, 69, and 138 μg kg−1) were tested. All diets had basal level of 3300 IU of vitamin D3 kg−1. Eighty-four, 74-wk-old hens were placed in individual cages, and 13 spare hens were sacrificed for baseline samples. Diets (n = 7) were fed to 81 wks of age, and hens were sacrificed for bone samples. There were no (P &gt; 0.05) diet effects on whole bone attributes. Interaction (P &lt; 0.05) between Ca and 25OHD3 on femur subparts was such that 25OHD3 linearly increased medullary ACN and concomitantly decreased cortical ACN at all Ca levels. In tibia, 25OHD3 (P &lt; 0.05) increased AC and ACN in medullary and reduced these parameters in cortical. The results suggested that subparts and not whole medullary bone attributes are more amenable to dietary interventions in aged hens.

Influence of different levels of calcium and vitamin D3 in cassava-based diet on the performance of laying hens

This study was conducted to determine the influence of different levels of calcium and vitamin D3 in a cassava-based diet on performance of laying hens. One hundred and eight Isa Brown hens which were 34 weeks' old were used in a three by two factorial arrangement in a complete randomized design. Birds were fed diets containing different levels of calcium (A= 2.5%, B= 3.5%, and C= 4.5%), with each calcium level also containing vitamin D3 at levels of 2000, 4000 and 6000 IU. All birds were raised under the same management condition within the nine treatment combinations which had three replicates of four (4) birds each. Records of the feed intake, egg lay, cost of feed ingredients and mortality were documented. The records were used to calculate the hen-day production (HDP), feed intake, number of eggs laid per hen, dozens of eggs laid per hen, feed consumed per dozen egg, feed cost per dozen egg produced and mortality. The result obtained showed that diets B (3.5%), C (4.5%), the 2000 IU vitamin D3 level and diet C (4.5% calcium) containing 2000 IU vitamin D3 were better in terms of the number of eggs laid per egg, hen day production, and dozen egg per hen. Thus, farmers can use 3.5%, 4.5% calcium levels or 2000 IU vitamin D3 levels singly/individually in diet for laying hens and obtain better result. However, the C diet (4.5% calcium) containing 2000 IU vitamin D3 which had the highest number of eggs, HDP, dozen egg per hen, best feed conversion to eggs as well as the least cost of production is recommended for laying hens in the humid tropics, when calcium and vitamin D3 are used together in a cassava-based diet to feed hens

Effect of Calcium Pidolate on Egg Production and Egg Quality during Last Phase of Production Cycle with Reducing Levels of Inorganic Calcium

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Calcium Pidolate supplementation on egg production and quality during the last phase of production cycle with reducing levels of inorganic Calcium. 600 (BV 300 strain) layer birds of age 55 weeks were randomly divided into six equal groups with four replicates. Group A, C and E received diet with Calcium level at 4%, 3%, 2% respectively while, group B, D and F received diet with Calcium level at 4%, 3%, 2% respectively along with Calcium Pidolate supplementation @ 500 g/ Ton of feed. The birds from group A recorded better performance with respect to total egg production, percent egg production, feed conversion ratio, total number of damaged eggs, hen house production and hen day production. The birds from group B recorded lowest number of broken eggs indicating Calcium Pidolate supplementation helped in reducing the downgraded eggs. Reducing Calcium levels had detrimental effect on the health of birds. However, Calcium Pidolate supplementation was not useful in reducing the mortality. Different levels of Calcium in the diet with or without Calcium Pidolate supplementation had no negative impact on the overall egg quality. Supplementation of Calcium Pidolate did not improve the eggshell quality. The tibia ash and tibia Calcium percentage were the highest in birds from group A. Also, group A recorded the highest net profit per egg received which was Rs. 0.48. Thus, overall results conclude that using Calcium at 4% level in the layer diet during last phase of production recorded better performance and profits. Calcium Pidolate Supplementation was unable to overcome the effects of reduced level of Calcium in the layer diet during last phase of production cycle.

Inactivation of ntcA gene revealed differential proteome expression and induction of some hypothetical proteins in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 and its derivative ntcA mutant under different levels of calcium

Calcium is an important macronutrient for both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. It acts as an important second messenger mediating rapid response to environmental conditions. The present investigation deals with proteome profiling of Anabaena 7120 and its derivative ntcA mutant in response to varied calcium doses (0, 1 and 10 mM CaCl2). Concentration of 1 mM CaCl2 salt was the optimum concentration whereas 10 mM CaCl2 was the inhibitory concentration for both the wild type and mutant strains. The results showed highly significant alteration in terms of protein abundance and differential response related to key processes of photosynthesis, energy and metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, oxidative and antioxidative defence, transport and signalling and fatty acid metabolism. In the wild type proteins related to photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism showed upregulation at 1 mM CaCl2 concentration while antioxidative defence related proteins were down-regulated. In the mutant however, proteins related to photosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism exhibited severe down-regulation. Some hypothetical proteins were also realized during proteome analysis. Overall, our results suggested that NtcA have a potential role in regulation of calcium ion dependent key processes underlying in various metabolic activities of the cyanobacterium Anabaena 7120.