title: Copper-silicon interaction studies in young, rapidly growing turkeys fed semipurified starter diets.
abstract: A 3x3 factorial experiment was conducted to study the interactions between Cu and Si in growing turkeys fed a basal dextrose-casein semipurified diet supplemented at 0, 270, and 540 ppm Si, and 2, 8, and 75 ppm Cu levels of inclusion. There were no significant (p>0.05) Cu, Si, or Cu-Si interaction effects on turkey growth. However, there were significant (p<0.05) Si effects on hemoglobin concentrations, and Cu-Si interaction effects on hematocrit and plasma Mg levels (p<0.01). Plasma Ca, P, Zn, Cu, total cholesterol, and serum alkaline phosphatase activity were not affected (p>0.05) by Cu, Si, or Cu-Si interaction. Heart and liver weights were affected (p<0.05) by the Cu-Si interaction. In general, a 8-ppm Cu supplemental level prevented cardiac hypertrophy only in the presence of 270 or 540 ppm Si inclusion in the diets. There were significant (p<0.05) Cu effects on liver Cu and Mn and heart Zn concentrations, Si effects on liver Mn levels, and Cu-Si interaction on liver Zn concentrations. Within the 0- and 270-ppm Si groups, Cu-deficient turkeys (2 ppm Cu) had higher liver Zn levels but not within the 540-ppm Si group. The Cu-Si interaction did not affect (p>0.05) concentrations of Cu in the heart and liver tissues. It is postulated that the Cu-Si interactions demonstrated in this study could have profound implications on the cardiovascular and skeletal health of birds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings 57007-0595, USA.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kayongo-Male
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Palmer
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003300:Copper / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D012825:Silicon / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D014422:Turkeys / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D003300:Copper; D002784:Cholesterol; D012825:Silicon