Research note: interactive effects of sodium zeolite A and Eimeria acervulina infection on growth and tissue minerals in chicks.
Two experiments were conducted to assess the interactive effects of dietary sodium zeolite A (SZA) and experimental Eimeria acervulina infection on growth and tissue mineral concentrations in chicks. The average initial weight of the chicks was 71.8 g, and the experimental periods were from 5 to 15 days posthatching. In both experiments, the corn-soybean meal basal diet was supplemented with 0 or .75% SZA and fed to uninfected chicks or to chicks infected with 4 x 10(5) sporulated E. acervulina oocysts on Days 0, 3, and 6 of the experiments. Both coccidial infection and SZA reduced (P < .05) gain and feed intake; however, feed efficiency was reduced (P < .01) only in the coccidiosis-infected chicks. Neither SZA nor the coccidial infection affected (P > .10) plasma Ca or P, tibia P, liver Ca, Zn, Fe, or Mn, or pancreas Cu. Sodium zeolite A increased (P < .05) plasma Zn but only in uninfected chicks (SZA by coccidiosis, P < .10). The coccidial infection decreased (P < .02) tibia ash percentage. Sodium zeolite A decreased tibia Ca in uninfected chicks but increased tibia Ca in coccidiosis-infected chicks (SZA by coccidiosis, P < .10). The coccidial infection increased (P < .05) tibia Mg, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mn, and Al concentrations. Dietary SZA also increased (P < .02) tibia Zn, Mn, and Al concentrations. The coccidial infection decreased (P < .02) tibia Zn concentration, and SZA decreased (P < .05) tibia Mg and Fe. Sodium zeolite A by coccidiosis interactions (P < .10) were evident in tibia Zn, Fe, Mn, and Al concentrations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Ward
T L
TL
Department of Animal Science, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge 70803.
Watkins
K L
KL
Southern
L L
LL
D000818:Animals; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D002645:Chickens / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005527:Food, Fortified; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects; D017641:Zeolites / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
D008903:Minerals; D017641:Zeolites; D015032:Zinc