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A diet high in n‐3 PUFA increases bone strength in broiler chickens
Author(s) -
Davidson Robert T.,
Draney Michael L.,
Probst Ryan V.,
Johnston N. Paul
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.1106.7
Subject(s) - broiler , zoology , vitamin e , vitamin , chemistry , corn oil , polyunsaturated fatty acid , food science , biology , biochemistry , antioxidant , fatty acid
Broiler chickens exhibit a high frequency of leg problems, including fractures, associated with rapid growth. We hypothesized that administering a diet high in vitamin K and flaxseed oil rich in n‐3 PUFA to chickens early in development would improve bone strength. Seventy‐two day‐old male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to one of four groups: 1) control diet (n‐6/n‐3=50:1) containing corn oil and normal vitamin K levels (menadione sodium bisulfite, 22.0 mg/kg diet); 2) high vitamin K diet containing corn oil and high vitamin K (3.3 g/kg diet); 3) flaxseed oil diet (n‐6/n‐3=5:1) containing flaxseed oil and normal levels of vitamin K and; 4) high vitamin K/flaxseed oil diet. Diets were administered six weeks. After the fourth week, six birds from each group were sacrificed each week for the next three weeks. The mechanical strength of the tibiotarsus was determined using a three‐point bending test. BMC was measured using DEXA scanning and bone ashing. Results indicated no significant difference in bone mineral content between treatments. However, flaxseed oil and the combination of flaxseed oil and high vitamin K significantly improved ultimate and yield bending strengths (Dunnett's multiple comparison test p ≤0.05). Vitamin K appeared to somewhat reduce the effect of flaxseed oil. The data indicate flaxseed oil may be used to increase bone strength in broiler chickens. Supported by a BYU Mentored Environment Grant.