Effects of different phosphorus sources in broilers diet on bone mineralization

The current study was conducted to evaluate the impact of monobasic calcium phosphate (MCP), as a source of inorganic phosphorus in broilers diet, on production performances and bone mineralization. A total of 300 1-day-old (Cobb 500) broilers, both sexes, obtained from the local hatchery, were included in the trial and divided in three groups, by one hundred birds each. During 42 days of the trial groups were fed with different experimental diets. One group of broilers was fed a diet without the addition of inorganic P (basal diet), the other two groups of broilers received diets with the addition of two different kinds of MCP (one was originating from ―Balakovo Mineral Fertilizers‖, Balakovo, Russia, and the other one was produced by ―Elixir Feed‖ DOO, Šabac, Serbia). Production results (average body weight, average daily gain, feed intake and feed to gain ratio) were monitored during the trial. At the end of experiment, on the forty-second day, right legs were collected from 12 birds in each group, in order to obtain the samples of tibia and tarsus. Bones were examined on bone breaking strength and the tissue density (mineral density). Both experimental groups that received MCP, as a P source achieved significantly higher production results compared to the group of broilers fed with basal diet (P<0.001). Furthermore, the differences were observed between the two experimental groups - production results, as well as bone tissue density of the first experimental group (fed with addition of MCP – Elixir), was significantly higher, compared to the group fed with MCP from Russia (P<0.05). Additionally, MCP in diet improved bone breaking strength (P<0.05). Results suggested that MCP has significant impact on growth, production performances and level of mineralization of bones. Furthermore, bone criteria are important criteria for estimating the P availability.