Untersuchungen über die Skelettentwicklung und Ossifikation beim Küken

Absorption and endogenous excretion of phosphorus in growing broiler chicks, as influenced by calcium and phosphorus ratios in feed

Absorption and endogenous excretion of P by male broiler chicks (14-29 d old) were quantitatively evaluated at different Ca:P ratios (1, 1:1; 2, 1.5:1; 3, 2:1; 4, 2.5:1) in four groups given experimental diets ad lib. The P content was the same in all diets. An isotope-dilution technique was used to determine endogenous faecal and renal excretion. Ca and P retentions in the whole body were estimated according to the comparative slaughter technique. P absorption was calculated from retention and endogenous excretion. Absorption and endogenous excretion of P amounted to (mg P/d per chick): 304, 270, 160 and 158; and 135, 109, 31 and 30 in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Widening of the Ca:P ratio in the feed limited the P absorption. Availability of feed P amounted to (%): (1) 66, (2) 57, (3) 32 and (4) 30, and the amounts of absorbed P retained were (%): (1) 56, (2) 60, (3 and 4) 81. The increasing Ca concentration in the feed showed a greater effect on P absorption than on P retention. The ratios of relative retention to relative endogenous excretion of absorbed P were: (1) 1.27, (2) 1.50, (3 and 4) 4.26.