title: Effects of dietary fatty acids and calcium levels on performance and mineral metabolism of broiler chickens.
abstract: The influence of inclusion of 8% linoleic/oleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids as the major source of fat in the presence of low (.8%) and high (1.2%) calcium in broiler diets was investigated using broiler chicks from day-old to 3 weeks of age. Palmitic and stearic acid caused an increase (P less than .01) in daily feed intake and weight gain with a decrease in feed efficiency compared to oleic and linoleic acid. There was variation (P less than .01) in energy utilization with palmitic and stearic acid being essentially unavailable. An interaction (P less than .05) between type of fatty acid and dietary calcium level was observed with fat retention. Increasing dietary calcium increased fecal soap concentration (P less than .01). Palmitic and stearic acid caused a significant increase in fecal soap formation and decrease in calcium retention. A significant interaction between type of fatty acid and dietary calcium level was observed with magnesium retention. Bone ash and bone calcium level were reduced (P less than .01) in the presence of palmitic and stearic acid while oleic acid had no significant effect on these parameters. A significant interaction of fatty acid type and level of calcium was observed for bone magnesium content, while bone phosphorus was not affected. Plasma calcium level was significantly reduced (P less than .01) by the addition of fatty acids relative to the control diets. Increasing dietary calcium level did not alleviate the decrease in calcium retention and bone calcium content associated with addition of fat.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002645:Chickens / Q000378:metabolism*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism*; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005227:Fatty Acids; D008903:Minerals; D010758:Phosphorus; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium