Implications of Vitamin D Research in Chickens can Advance Human Nutrition and Perspectives for the Future

The risk of vitamin D insufficiency in humans is a global problem that requires improving ways to increase vitamin D intake. Supplements are a primary means for increasing vitamin D intake, but without a clear consensus on what constitutes vitamin D sufficiency, there is toxicity risk with taking supplements. Chickens have been used in many vitamin-D-related research studies, especially studies involving vitamin D supplementation. Our state-of-the-art review evaluates vitamin D metabolism and how the different hydroxylated forms are synthesized. We provide an overview of how vitamin D is absorbed, transported, excreted, and what tissues in the body store vitamin D metabolites. We also discuss a number of studies involving vitamin D supplementation with broilers and laying hens. Vitamin D deficiency and toxicity are also described and how they can be caused. The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is important for vitamin D metabolism; however, there is much more to understand about VDR in chickens. Potential research aims involving vitamin D and chickens should explore VDR mechanisms that could lead to newer insights into VDR. Utilizing chickens in future research to help elucidate vitamin D mechanisms has great potential to advance human nutrition. Finding ways to increase vitamin D intake will be necessary because the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is leading to increased risk of vitamin D deficiency in many populations. Chickens can provide a dual purpose with addressing pandemic-caused vitamin D deficiency: 1) vitamin D supplementation gives chickens added-value with the possibility of leading to vitamin-D-enriched meat and egg products; and 2) using chickens in research provides data for translational research. We believe expanding vitamin-D-related research in chickens to include more nutritional aims in vitamin D status has great implications for developing better strategies to improve human health.

A reassessment of the vitamin D requirements of modern broiler genotypes

We hypothesized that performance and bone mineralization of 2 broiler lines will benefit from increasing vitamin D (vitD) supplementation above current commercial levels and by partial substitution of D3 by 25-OH-D3. Male Ross 308 and 708 chicks (n = 576), were offered diets with low (LD; 1,000), medium (MD; 4,000) or high levels of D3 (HD; 7,000 IU/kg), and medium levels of vitD where the majority of D3 was substituted by 25-OH-D3 (25MD; 1,000 D3+3,000 25-OH-D3 IU/kg). Performance was measured at the end of starter (day 10), grower (day 24), and finisher periods (day 38). Three birds per pen were dissected at the end of each period to assess tibia and femur ash percentage (%), ash weight, bone breaking strength (BBS), and serum levels of 25-OH-D3. Remaining birds were gait scored (GS) at day 37 of age. Genotype and diet did not interact for any trait, whilst performance was not affected by diet. Ross 708 had lower body weight (P < 0.005), higher feed conversion ratio over the grower period (P < 0.05), similar levels of 25-OH-D3, but higher GS (P < 0.05) than Ross 308. Serum 25-OH-D3 levels were affected by diet at the end of the starter and grower periods (P < 0.05), being lowest for LD and highest for 25MD. Diet affected GS (P < 0.01), being higher in LD than 25MD. Femur ash % was higher at the end of the starter and grower periods for 25MD than LD and for both HD and 25MD than LD (P < 0.05). Femur and tibia ash weight were higher for 25MD in comparison to LD birds (P < 0.05) at the end of the grower period. Femur and tibia BBS were higher (P < 0.05) for 25MD in comparison to LD at the end of the grower and finisher periods, respectively. Overall, effects of vitD supply were more pronounced for femur than for tibia mineralization. Results do not suggest supplementation of vitD above current maximum levels and support partial substitution by 25-OH-D3.

Effects of dietary 1 alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol in calcium and phosphorous-deficient diets on growth performance, tibia related indices and immune responses in broiler chickens

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary 1α-hydroxycholecalciferol (1α-OH-D₃) in calcium (Ca)- and phosphorous (P)-deficient diets on growth performance, carcass characteristics, tibia related parameters, and immune responses of broiler chickens. A total of 280 one-day-old broiler chickens (Ross 308) were assigned to 20 floor pens and 4 dietary treatments with 5 replicates. Dietary treatments consisted of starter diets (starter diet of treatment A: 1% Ca, 0.73% total phosphorus [tP]; starter diet of treatment B: 0.85% Ca, 0.64% tP + 5 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D₃; starter diet of treatment C: 0.85% Ca, 0.59% tP + 5 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D₃; starter diet of treatment D: 0.85% Ca, 0.54% tP + 5 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D₃), grower diets (grower diet of treatment A: 0.86% Ca, 0.68% tP; grower diet of treatment B: 0.73% Ca, 0.59% tP + 5 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D₃; grower diet of treatment C: 0.73% Ca, 0.55% tP + 5 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D₃; grower diet of treatment D: 0.73% Ca, 0.50% tP + 5 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D₃) and finisher diets (finisher diet of treatment A: 0.81% Ca, 0.64% tP; finisher diet of treatment B: 0.68% Ca, 0.56% tP + 5 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D₃; finisher diet of treatment C: 0.68% Ca, 0.52% tP + 5 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D₃; finisher diet of treatment D: 0.68% Ca, 0.48% tP + 5 μg/kg of 1α-OH-D₃). Results showed that body weight gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI) of broilers in treatment B were similar to those of broilers in treatment A at the end of the trial (P < 0.05). Broilers in treatments C and D had lower BWG and FI than those in treatment A during the whole trial (P < 0.05). Feed conversion ratio, carcass traits and relative weight of lymphoid organs were not affected by dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Dietary treatments had no significant effect on antibody titers against Newcastle and Influenza disease viruses as well as sheep red blood cells. Dietary treatments had no significant effects on tibia ash and tibial dyschondroplasia score. Broilers fed Ca-P deficient diets had lower tibia Ca and P than those in treatment A (P < 0.05). In conclusion, results indicated that broilers fed Ca-P deficient diets supplemented with 5 μg/kg 1α-OH-D₃ failed to achieve the same tibia Ca and P values as broilers fed nonphytate phosphorus adequate diets.

Effects of housing, perches, genetics, and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol on keel bone deformities in laying hens

Several studies have shown a high prevalence of keel bone deformities in commercial laying hens. The aim of this project was to assess the effects of perch material, a vitamin D feed additive (25-hydroxyvitamin D(3); HyD, DSM Nutritional Products, Basel, Switzerland), and genetics on keel bone pathology. The study consisted of 2 experiments. In the first experiment, 4,000 Lohmann Selected Leghorn hens were raised in aviary systems until 18 wk of age. Two factors were investigated: perch material (plastic or rubber-coated metal) and feed (with and without HyD). Afterward, the hens were moved to a layer house with 8 pens with 2 aviary systems. Daily feed consumption, egg production, mortality, and feather condition were evaluated. Every 6 wk, the keel bones of 10 randomly selected birds per pen were palpated and scored. In the second experiment, 2,000 Lohmann Brown (LB) hens and 2,000 Lohmann Brown parent stock (LBPS) hens were raised in a manner identical to the first experiment. During the laying period, the hens were kept in 24 identical floor pens but equipped with different perch material (plastic or rubber-coated metal). The same variables were investigated as in the first experiment. No keel bone deformities were found during the rearing period in either experiment. During the laying period, deformities gradually appeared and reached a prevalence of 35% in the first experiment and 43.8% in the second experiment at the age of 65 and 62 wk, respectively. In the first experiment, neither HyD nor the aviary system had any significant effect on the prevalence of keel bone deformities. In the second experiment, LBPS had significantly fewer moderate and severe deformities than LB, and rubber-coated metal perches were associated with a higher prevalence of keel bone deformities compared with plastic perches. The LBPS laid more but smaller eggs than the LB. Again, HyD did not affect the prevalence of keel bone deformities. However, the significant effect of breed affiliation strongly indicates a sizeable genetic component that may provide a basis for targeted selection.

Effects of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and soy isoflavones supplementation on bone mineralisation of quail

1. The effects of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D(3)) and soy isoflavones supplementation on performance, carcase recovery, bone mineral density, and tibia ash, Ca, P, and serum vitamin D concentrations and alkaline phosphatase activity in the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to high ambient temperature were evaluated. 2. A total of 270 ten-d-old Japanese quail were randomly assigned to 9 treatment groups, 6 replicates of 5 birds each in a 2 x 3 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Birds were kept in a temperature-controlled room at either 22 degrees C (thermo-neutral) or 34 degrees C (heat stress) for 8 h/d (09:00-17:00 h) and given a basal (control) diet or the basal diet supplemented with one of three levels of 25-OH-D(3) (0, 250 and 500 IU/kg of diet) combined with one of three levels of soy isoflavones (0, 400 and 800 mg/kg of diet). 3. Birds kept at 34 degrees C consumed less feed and gained less weight than control birds. An increase in body weight, feed intake (and improvement in feed efficiency and carcase recovery were found in soy isoflavones and 25-OH-D(3)-supplemented quail reared under heat stress conditions. Bone mineral density, tibia ash, Ca, and P were linearly improved by 25-OH-D(3) and soy isoflavones supplementation in both thermoneutral and heat stress groups. Serum vitamin D levels and alkaline phosphatase activity were improved by 25-OH-D(3) and soy isoflavones supplementation in both thermoneutral and heat stress groups in quail. 4. In conclusion, a combination of 25-OH-D(3) and soy isoflavones supplementation to basal diet significantly improved bone mineralisation in quail.

Effect of the level of cholecalciferol supplementation of broiler breeder hen diets on the performance and bone abnormalities of the progeny fed diets containing various levels of calcium or 25-hydroxycholecalciferol

Four experiments were conducted using Ross x Ross chicks hatched from broiler breeder hens fed various levels of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3; 0 to 4,000 IU/kg of diet) to determine the effect of the maternal diet on the performance and leg abnormalities of the progeny. Chicks hatched from eggs laid by the hens at different ages were used in experiments 1 to 4. The studies were conducted in an ultraviolet light-free environment as split plot designs, with Ca levels or 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OHD3) in the chicks' diet as the whole plot, and vitamin D3 in the maternal diet as a subplot. Chicks in experiments 1 and 2 were fed 2 levels of Ca (0.63% or 0.90%) and chicks in experiments 3 and 4 were fed 6 levels of 25-OHD3 (0 to 40 microg/kg of diet). Significant increases in body weight gain (BWG) of the progeny were observed in experiments 1, 2, and 4 as the vitamin D3 level in the maternal diet increased. Chicks hatched from eggs laid by hens fed the highest levels of D3 had the highest tibia ash. Significant reductions in Ca rickets incidence (experiments 1 and 2) and tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) incidence (experiment 1) were observed as the level of vitamin D3 in the maternal diet increased. Chicks fed lower levels of Ca had lower BWG and tibia ash and higher incidences of TD and Ca rickets than chicks fed higher levels of Ca. Increasing the level of 25-OHD3 in the chicks' diet significantly improved BWG, tibia ash, and plasma Ca and reduced TD and Ca rickets incidence. An overall evaluation of the study indicates that chicks from hens fed the highest levels of vitamin D3 and fed high levels of Ca or 25-OHD3 had the highest BWG, tibia ash, and plasma Ca, and the lowest incidences of TD and Ca rickets.

Effectiveness of twenty-five-hydroxycholecalciferol in the prevention of tibial dyschondroplasia in Ross cockerels depends on dietary calcium level

Five experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25-(OH)D3] to minimize the development of tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) and improve phytate phosphorus retention in Ross cockerels during the starter period. In experiment 1, chicks were fed a TD-inducing (0.67% calcium) diet with or without exposure to ultraviolet light and no supplemental cholecalciferol. Dietary 25-(OH)D3 was added at 0, 10, or 70 microg/kg for both light treatments. In experiment 2, 25-(OH)D3 was added at 0, 10, 40, or 70 microg/kg to a TD-inducing diet containing 27.5 microg/kg added cholecalciferol. Experiment 3 was similar to experiment 2 except a diet marginal (0.85%) in calcium was fed, and cholecalciferol was added at 55 microg/kg. In experiments 4 and 5, 25-(OH)D3 was added at 0, 18, 36, 54, 72, or 90 microg/kg to a diet marginal in calcium. Dietary 25-(OH)D3 decreased the incidence of TD similarly at 40 and 70 microg/kg 25-(OH)D3 and improved phytate phosphorus retention when the TD-inducing diet was fed. The incidence of TD was decreased when 70 microg/kg 25-(OH)D3 was added to a diet marginal in calcium in experiment 3 only. Phytate phosphorus retention was generally not affected by dietary 25-(OH)D3 when a diet containing marginal calcium, adequate phosphorus, and high cholecalciferol was fed. The effectiveness of 25-(OH)D3 to reduce the incidence of TD in young broilers was higher when the dietary calcium level was below 0.85%. The incidence of TD in Ross cockerels was low (< 25%) when dietary calcium was greater than 0.85%.

Nutrition and skeletal problems in poultry

Several excellent reviews regarding nutrition and skeletal disorders have appeared in the last 20 yr. This review will cover several areas of vitamin D research, the area of feed deprivation, and bone abnormalities, because there has been considerable interest in these areas during the past 10 yr. Studies indicate that the quantitative requirement for cholecalciferol (D3) for broiler chickens is much greater than previously thought. Ascorbic acid may play a role in stimulating 1-hydroxylation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25-(OH)D3], but the evidence is not clear under exactly what conditions this relationship is important in practical prevention of tibial dyschondroplasia. Studies indicate that dietary supplementation with 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25(OH)2D3] will reduce the incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia in three different strains of broilers bred to develop a high incidence of the disease. But it did not prevent the disease totally in the strains, unless high enough levels of 1,25-(OH)2D3 were fed to reduce growth rate. These studies indicate that these high tibial dyschondroplasia strains have a defect(s) in vitamin D metabolism. Studies continue to elucidate the role of ultraviolet light in preventing leg abnormalities. Only a few studies have been conducted on the efficacy of various vitamin D3 derivatives to prevent tibial dyschondroplasia. Feed deprivation continues to be an intriguing method of preventing tibial dyschondroplasia, and examination of exactly how this prevents the bone abnormality could open avenues for explaining the disease.