Sodium levels for Japanese quail at initial phases F. G. P. Costa,*1 D. F. Figueiredo-Lima,† M. R. Lima,‡ S. G. Pinheiro,* C. C. Goulart,§ J. H. V. Silva,* S. M. Baraldi-Artoni,# F. R. Barreiro,# and P. E. N. Givisiez* *Federal University of Paraiba, Department of Animal Science, PB 079, km 12, 58397-000, Campus II, Areia, Paraiba, Brazil; †Academic Unity of Garanhuns, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Pernambuco, 55292-270 Brazil; ‡Federal Rural University of Semi-Arid, Departament of Animal Science, Costa e Silva, 59625-900, Mossoro, RN, Brazil; §State University of Acarau Valley, Department of Animal Science, Sobral, CE, 62040-370 Brazil; and #Department of Animal Morphology and Physiology, São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho,” Jaboticabal, 14884-900 Brazil ABSTRACT The aim of this research was to determine the nutritional requirements of sodium for Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica) during the periods of 1 to 21 d and 22 to 40 d of age, as well as to evaluate the residual effect on egg production and densitometry bone traits from 41 to 63 d. Two experiments were developed. Experiment 1: 360 Japanese quail were used, from 1 to 21 d of age. Treatments consisted of 5 sodium levels (0.06, 0.12, 0.18, 0.24, and 0.30%). Experiment 2: 240 Japanese quail were used, from 22 to 40 d. Treat-
ments consisted of 5 sodium levels (0.04, 0.12, 0.20, 0.28, and 0.36%). In both experiments, weight gain, final weight, and feed conversion presented a quadratic trend, whereas water intake presented a linear trend. Treatments did not affect the densitometry of bone traits, although they presented a quadratic influence on tibia ash, calcium, and calcium:phosphorus ratio. Therefore, the nutritional requirement of sodium for Japanese quail from 1 to 21 d and from 22 to 40 d is 0.222% and 0.253%, respectively.
Key words: bone trait, Coturnix coturnix Japonica, growth, mineral, nutritional requirement 2012 Poultry Science 91:1128–1134 http://dx.doi.org/10.3382/ps.2011-01762
INTRODUCTION Quail production in Brazil, a rapidly growing industry, primarily because these birds do not require much space, are easy to manage and are reproductively mature in 6 wk. Despite the expanding Brazilian quail sector, little research has been directed toward the nutritional requirements of the birds. Even today, it is common to find diet formulations based on the nutrient requirements of layers guidelines (NRC, 1994) for broilers that have little application to quail rearing conditions in Brazil. The result is impaired quail performance and productivity (Murakami and Furlan, 2002). To further complicate the issue, most quail rearing-diet recommendations are based on research conducted with quail during the laying phase. Sodium is present in blood serum and in extracellular fluids (Murakami et al., 2006) and is related to the absorption of nutrients, such as amino acids and glucose, in which the transport of these substances is performed with energy expenditure by the sodium-dependent co©2012 Poultry Science Association Inc. Received July 28, 2011. Accepted January 10, 2012. 1 Corresponding author:
[email protected]
transport system (García-Amado et al., 2005). The protein, energy, and mineral metabolism, in addition to the acid-base regulation, are interrelated processes that influence the performance of birds. Mongin (1980) reported that the ideal balance between the minerals sodium, chloride, and potassium is essential for optimum performance, as the imbalance can generate acidosis or alkalosis processes, making the metabolic pathways in the animal organism inefficient. In this respect, these 3 minerals express the electrolyte balance of the diet (Rondón et al., 2000). Harrison (1937) studied bone and calcified tissues and found that sodium not only composes part of the bone, but he also found that the Ca:Na ratio is, in general, 30:1. Besides being present in the bone composition, sodium exerts important influence on the bone metabolism by maintaining the acid-base balance, especially in relation to the activity of the carbonic anhydrase enzyme, in addition to its classical participation in the formation of the eggshell. It also acts on the mineralization process of the bone matrix (Wasserman et al., 1996). Gal-Garber et al. (2003) reported that sodium, besides being essential to the growth of the birds and participating in the nutrient absorption process, is im-
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portant in the transmission of nerve impulses. The authors evaluated the possible increased activity of sodium-potassium pumps of the small intestine of broilers in the presence of high sodium levels. However, they found that there is a metabolic limit to respond to the levels of this mineral, which is not proportional to its absorptive capacity. In contrast, excessive sodium consumption may affect the kinetic behavior of the small intestine of birds, possibly reducing the absorption, because the affinity (Km) of the sodium pump is reduced with excess sodium in the organism. Foods used in the ration for quail for having a good supply of minerals, such as sodium, potassium, and others, make these minerals relegated to a second level by nutritionists in their studies. Meanwhile, birds require specific levels according to the production phase, because development occurs rapidly, the imbalance of these minerals in the growth phase can probably affect the sexual maturity of the birds. The NRC (1994) recommends levels of 0.15% sodium for Japanese quail, and these levels can be obtained through the supplementation of 0.25% common salt in formulated feed based on corn and soybean meal containing 20% CP (Rostagno et al., 2005).
The determination of the nutritional requirement of minerals, such as sodium, is more complicated because of the large amount of factors involved. In addition to the relationship between the minerals and their correlation to organic molecules, the availability, affecting the absorption, the way minerals are incorporated into the diets, the genetic variations between animals (Maynard et al., 1984 cited by Barros et al., 2001), and more recently, environmental conditions to which the animal is submitted are some of the limitations to determine precisely the sodium requirements. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the dietary sodium requirements for growing quail from 1 to 21 d and from 22 to 40 d of age, as well as the bone densitometry characteristics of birds at 40 d of age and the residual effects of sodium in the initial egg production phase from 41 to 63 d of age.
MATERIALS AND METHODS Two experiments were conducted in the Poultry Sciences Center, Campus of Areia, Federal University of Paraiba, Brazil. In an experimental shed divided into 2 parts: one with boxes on the floor, measuring
Table 1. Feedstuffs and chemical composition of experimental diets Sodium level, % Item Ingredient (%) Corn Soybean meal Corn gluten meal Wheat meal Limestone Building sand Dicalcium phosphate l-Lysine HCl 78.4% Ammonium chloride dl-Methionine 99% Choline chloride 70% Mineral1 Vitamin supplement2 Salt l-Threonine Sodium bicarbonate Total Calculated composition AMEn, kcal/kg CP, % Calcium, % Available P, % Lysine, % Methionine + cystine, % Methionine, % Threonine, % Tryptophan, % Sodium, % (analyzed) Chlorine, % (analyzed) Potassium, % (analyzed) Electrolytic balance, mEq
0.06
0.12
0.18
0.24
0.30
54.237 20.303 14.017 6.000 1.504 1.500 1.249 0.566 0.107 0.064 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.068 0.085 0.000 100.000
54.237 20.303 14.017 6.000 1.504 1.278 1.249 0.566 0.107 0.064 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.068 0.085 0.222 100.000
54.237 20.303 14.017 6.000 1.504 1.056 1.249 0.566 0.107 0.064 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.068 0.085 0.445 100.000
54.237 20.303 14.017 6.000 1.504 0.833 1.249 0.566 0.107 0.064 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.068 0.085 0.667 100.000
54.237 20.303 14.017 6.000 1.504 0.611 1.249 0.566 0.107 0.064 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.068 0.085 0.889 100.000
2,860 24.00 0.980 0.350 1.305 0.887 0.492 0.946 0.220 0.06 (0.05) 0.15 (0.18) 0.60 (0.66) 139
2,860 24.00 0.980 0.350 1.305 0.887 0.492 0.946 0.220 0.12 (0.11) 0.15 (0.17) 0.60 (0.64) 165
2,860 24.00 0.980 0.350 1.305 0.887 0.492 0.946 0.220 0.18 (0.17) 0.15 (0.18) 0.60 (0.65) 191
2,860 24.00 0.980 0.350 1.305 0.887 0.492 0.946 0.220 0.24 (0.22) 0.15 (0.18) 0.60 (0.65) 217
2,860 24.00 0.980 0.350 1.305 0.887 0.492 0.946 0.220 0.30 (0.28) 0.15 (0.17) 0.60 (0.63) 243
1Product basic composition: manganese monoxide, zinc oxide, iron sulfate, cupper sulfate, calcium iodide, vehicle Q.S. Security levels per kilogram of product: manganese 150.0 mg, zinc 100.0 mg, iron 100.0 mg, copper 16.0 mg, iodine 1.5 mg. 2Product basic composition: vitamin A, vitamin D , vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B , vitamin B , vitamin B , vitamin B , niacine, folic acid, 3 1 2 6 12 pantothenic acid, sodium selenite, antioxidant, vehicle Q.S. Security levels per kilogram of product: vitamin A, 10,000,000 IU; vitamin D3, 2,500,000 IU; vitamin E, 6,000 IU; vitamin K, 1,600 mg; vitamin B12, 11,000; niacin, 25,000 mg; folic acid, 400 mg; pantothenic acid, 10,000 mg; selenium, 300 mg; and antioxidant, 20 g.
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Table 2. Feedstuffs and chemical composition of experimental diets Sodium level, % Item Ingredient Corn Soybean meal Corn gluten meal Wheat meal Limestone Building sand Dicalcium phosphate l-Lysine HCl 78.4% Ammonium chloride dl-Methionine 99% Choline chloride 70% Mineral mix1 Vitamine mix2 Common salt Sodium bicarbonate Total Calculated composition AMEn, kcal/kg CP, % Calcium, % Available P, % Lysine, % Methionine + cystine, % Threonine, % Tryptophan, % Sodium, % Chlorine, % Potassium, % Electrolytic balance, mEq
0.040
0.120
0.200
0.280
0.360
47.875 33.652 6.133 4.747 3.500 1.138 1.200 0.934 0.245 0.220 0.146 0.100 0.100 0.010 0.000 100.00 2,900 23.31 0.800 0.300 1.300 0.750 1.020 0.264 0.040 0.150 0.950 218
47.875 33.652 6.133 4.747 3.500 1.138 0.904 0.934 0.245 0.220 0.146 0.100 0.100 0.010 0.296 100.00 2,900 23.29 0.800 0.300 1.300 0.750 1.020 0.264 0.120 0.150 0.950 253
47.875 33.652 6.133 4.747 3.500 1.138 0.608 0.934 0.245 0.220 0.146 0.100 0.100 0.010 0.593 100.00 2,900 23.29 0.800 0.300 1.300 0.750 1.020 0.264 0.200 0.150 0.950 288
47.875 33.652 6.133 4.747 3.500 1.138 0.311 0.934 0.245 0.220 0.146 0.100 0.100 0.010 0.889 100.00 2,900 23.29 0.800 0.300 1.300 0.750 1.020 0.264 0.280 0.150 0.950 322
47.875 33.652 6.133 4.747 3.500 1.138 0.015 0.934 0.245 0.220 0.146 0.100 0.100 0.010 1.185 100.00 2,900 23.29 0.800 0.300 1.300 0.750 1.020 0.264 0.360 0.150 0.950 357
1Product basic composition: manganese monoxide, zinc oxide, iron sulfate, cupper sulfate, calcium iodide, vehicle Q.S. Security levels per kilogram of product: manganese 150,000 mg, zinc 100,000 mg, iron 100,000 mg, copper 16,000 mg, and iodine 1,500 mg. 2Product basic composition: vitamin A, vitamin D , vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B , vitamin B , vitamin B , vitamin B , niacine, folic acid, 3 1 2 6 12 pantothenic acid, sodium selenite, antioxidant, vehicle Q.S. Security levels per kilogram of product: vitamin A 10,000,000 IU, vitamin D3 2,500,000 IU, vitamin E 6,000 IU, vitamin K 1,600 mg, vitamin B12 11,000, niacine 25,000 mg, folic acid 400 mg, pantothenic acid 10,000 mg, selenium 300 mg, and antioxidant 20 g.
60 × 50 cm for birds in the initial phase (1–21 d of age), and another with cage batteries for quail in the growing (22–40 d of age) and laying phases (after 41 d).
Experiment 1 Three hundred and 60 female Japanese quail were used during the period from 1 to 21 d of age, with initial weights of 8.35 g. The birds were distributed in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 6 replicates of 12 birds each. The diets were formulated according to levels recommended by the NRC (1994), except for sodium. The treatments consisted of increasing sodium levels (0.06, 0.12, 0.18, 0.24, and 0.30%) in the experimental diets (Table 1). The balancing of diets to achieve the sodium levels was done by adding sodium bicarbonate to replace the inert component, and the diets were formulated according to the recommendations of NRC (1994). The birds were housed in pens on the floor measuring 60 × 50 cm, all with incandescent lamps and water founts and feeders specifically developed for young quail. During the trial period, diets and deionized water were provided ad libitum. A continuous light program (natural + artificial) was used.
The variables analyzed were feed intake (FI) and water intake (H2OI) during each period, final weight (FW), weight gain (WG), feed conversion (FC), and water intake:feed intake ratio (H2OI:FI). The average daily FI was calculated by determining the difference between the feed amount provided and the amount remaining at the end of the test period and dividing by the number of days in the experiment. Similarly, all the water provided daily was measured, and the H2OI was determined by calculating the amount consumed by the number of days. For the WG determination, the birds were weighed at the beginning and end of the experimental phase. The FC was calculated by dividing the feed consumed by the WG. Feed conversion was also adjusted to compensate for the weight of all dead and culled birds.
Experiment 2 Two hundred and 40 female quail were used during the period from 22 to 40 d of age, distributed in a randomized block design, with 5 treatments and 6 replicates of 8 birds each, housed in cage batteries for growing quail (22–40 d of age) and laying quail. After receiving the experimental diets from 22 to 40 d, the
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SODIUM LEVELS IN QUAIL Table 3. Feed intake (FI, g/bird), final weight (FW, g/bird), weight gain (WG, g/bird), water intake (H2OI, mL/bird), feed conversion (FC, g/g), and water intake:feed intake ratio (H2OI:FI, mL/g) of Japanese quail from 1 to 21 d of age Na level in diet 0.06 0.12 0.18 0.24 0.30 Regression SEM
FI 120.1 122.4 124.3 126.8 122.2 NS 0.461
FW
WG
53.7 59.1 60.8 59.8 59.1 Q** 0.504
46.7 51.4 54.2 53.7 52.2 Q** 0.542
H2OI 456.4 463.5 466.3 480.2 501.6 L** 3.266
FC 2.5 2.3 2.2 2.3 2.3 Q* 0.019
H2OI:FI 3.8 3.7 3.7 3.7 4.1 NS 0.026
*P < 0.05; **P < 0.01; Q = quadratic effect; L = linear effect.
birds were fed a single diet so that the effect of the residual sodium levels could be determined during the period of 41 to 63 d of age. The treatments consisted of a basal diet, formulated to meet all nutritional requirements of poultry in accordance with the recommendations of NRC (1994), except for sodium which was supplemented as sodium bicarbonate to provide the levels of 0.04, 0.12, 0.20, 0.28, and 0.36% Na (Table 2). During the trial period, feed and deionized water were provided ad libitum. The continuous light program (natural + artificial) was used. The variables analyzed were FI and H2OI, FW, WG, FC, age of the bird at first egg (d), and weight of the first egg (WFE; g) in the period from 22 to 40 d and total eggs produced in the period (no. of egg/bird), total weight of eggs produced in this period (g), average egg production (%), and average egg weight (g), in the phase of evaluating the residual effect of sodium levels (41–63 d). Densitometric bone assessments of birds were made at the end of the experimental period, with evaluation of the distal and proximal epiphysis and diaphysis. For experiment 2, FI, H2OI, WG, and FC were obtained as described for experiment 1. The age of the bird at first egg was recorded with the appearance of the first egg, which was weighed to obtain WFE. The densitometric evaluations were performed based on radiographic images of the bones of quail at the age of 40 d, using the optimization of the densitometric technique developed by Louzada (1994) and through specific software. The densitometric referential was an aluminum ladder or penetrometer (6063 alloy, ABNT), of 12 degrees (0.5 mm of thickness for the first degree), changing every 0.5 mm up to the tenth degree, each degree with 5 × 25 mm2 of area, which was concurrently radiographed with the bones. The radiographs were performed in X-ray machines (model Tridoro 812
E, Siemens, São Paulo, Brazil) using Kodak film PMATG/RA (Kodak, Rochester, NY) and chassis 24 × 30 cm, considering the focus-film distance of 1 m at all radiographies performed. The metal chassis was fitted with intensifier screens Lanex regular. The films were disclosed and fixed in an automatic processor (Kodak X-OMAT 200). The densitometric readings were made after digitalization of radiographies through scanner A3 scaníon (Fujitsu, São Paulo, Brazil), and these scanned images were stored on a microcomputer. Later, the images were submitted to the Image-Pro Plus, Media Cybernetics software version 4.1 (Bethesda, MD), where density calibration in the penetrometer was performed, and then the bone mineral density was obtained. The densitometry values were expressed in millimeters of aluminum. The results were statistically analyzed using the SAS program (SAS Institute, 1997). The regression analysis was performed using the linear and quadratic effects to estimate the sodium requirements, considering the significance level, determination coefficient value, and the biological response of the birds.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Experiment 1 There was no effect on the FI and the H2OI: FI (P > 0.05). However, the FW (P < 0.01), WG (P < 0.01), and FC (P < 0.05) were influenced in a quadratic way (Table 3), whereas the H2OI produced a linear increase in response to the sodium levels in the diet (P < 0.01; Tables 3 and 4). The FW and WG were maximized with 0.212 and 0.215% dietary sodium, respectively, whereas the FC
Table 4. Equations and requirements of the variables analyzed and influenced during the phase of 1 to 21 d of age of Japanese quail fed increasing levels of Na Variable
Equation
Live final weight (FW)** Weight gain (WG)** Feed conversion (FC)* Water intake (H2OI)**
Yij Yij Yij Yij
1Requirement
of dietetic Na+ (%). *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01.
= = = =
47.67 39.91 2.784 441.5
+ 125.0x – 294.2x2 + 133.3x – 309.1x2 – 4.315x + 9.704x2 + 178.5x
R2
Requirement1
0.95 0.99 0.90 0.90
0.212 0.215 0.222 —
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Costa et al. Table 5. Feed intake (FI, g/bird), live final weight (FW, g/bird), weight gain (WG, g/bird), feed conversion (FC, g/g), and water intake (H2OI, mL/bird) according to the sodium (Na, %) levels in the diet of Japanese quail from 22 to 40 d of age Na 0.04 0.12 0.20 0.28 0.36 Regression SEM
FI
FW
WG
360.7 357.0 353.8 364.2 358.2 NS 0.713
145.7 165.1 166.2 165.8 165.9 Q** 1.638
44.9 64.9 65.7 65.2 66.6 Q** 1.694
H2OI 481.2 551.0 560.9 609.5 624.0 L** 10.287
FC 8.0 5.5 5.3 5.5 5.3 Q** 0.210
**P < 0.01; Q = quadratic effect; L = linear effect.
was optimized with 0.222% sodium. These values are found to be higher than those recommended by the NRC (1994), by Rocha et al. (2005), Scott et al. (1960), and Murakami et al. (2006). The acid-base homeostasis of a diet is determined by the appropriate relationship between electrolytes: sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), and potassium (K). Mongin and Sauveur (1977) established that the birds have optimal electrolyte balance around 250 mEq/kg of diet; however, this value can fluctuate depending on age, physiological state, bird species, and environment in which they are inserted, and several authors have found, indeed, conflicting values (Judice et al., 2002; Borges et al., 2003; Borges et al., 2004). In this experiment, the optimal sodium requirement for feed conversion was 0.222%, representing a 209 mEq/kg of diet, and that would be an adequate level for inducing moderate acidosis.
Experiment 2 There was no significant effect for feed intake (FI) (P > 0.05); however, the final weight (FW), weight gain (WG), and feed conversion (FC) presented a quadratic effect (P < 0.01), whereas the water intake (H2OI) showed a linear effect (P < 0.01), increasing as the sodium levels increased. This was based on the equation Yij = 29.946 + 6.963x (r2 = 0.93), at every 1% sodium in the diet, the birds consumed more than 6.96 mL of deionized water (Table 5). The best FW was achieved with 0.257% of sodium in the diet, whereas WG and FC were best with 0.250 and 0.253% Na, respectively (Table 6). Similarly to the first experiment, from 1 to 21 d, the data presented as the highest dietary sodium levels from 24 to 40 d of age were above recommendations made by the NRC (1994), Scott et al. (1960), and Murakami et al. (2006).
The predominant factor for these recommendation reports from literature above may have been the consumption of sodium-free water, which leads birds to consume a larger amount of dietary sodium. The use of deionized water influences the results (Rodrigues et al., 2007), proving a more realistic estimation of the sodium requirement, thus improving the performance of the quail. During the experimental phase (22–40 d), only the WFE was influenced quadratically by sodium levels, with the highest weight supported by 0.191% sodium in the diet. For the residual phase (41–63 d; Table 7), the number and average egg production showed a quadratic effect (P < 0.01) compared with dietary sodium in the previous phase (22–40 d), showing a residual effect of this mineral in the initial egg production of Japanese quail. During 22 to 40 d, the maximum number as well as the highest average number of eggs produced was achieved with 0.242% dietary sodium. These results are above those recommended in the literature and demonstrate the importance of sodium in the growth of Japanese quail as well as how sodium can influence changes in initial egg production. The densitometric parameters (densitometry of the proximal and distal epiphysis and diaphysis) evaluated from tibia of quail 40 d old were not affected (P > 0.05) by sodium levels used in experimental diets during d 22 to 40 (Table 8). The bone densitometry technique has been recommended as both an invasive and a noninvasive method to predict the ash percentage in the tibia and was used to develop dietary mineral prediction equations to determine bone status (Onyango et al., 2003) becasue excesses or deficiencies directly affect the bone mineralization process. Leeson and Summers (2001) report that slightly severe sodium deficiencies in the diets of birds cause de-
Table 6. Equations and requirements of the variables analyzed and influenced during the phase from 22 to 40 d of age of Japanese quail fed increasing levels of Na Variable
Equation
Live final weight (FW)** Weight gain (WG)** Feed conversion (FC)** Water intake (H2OI)**
Yij Yij Yij Yij
1Requirement
**P < 0.01.
of dietetic Na+ (%).
= = = =
139.31 38.444 8.8434 29.946
+ + − +
230.14x − 446.89x2 236.53x − 465.59x2 29.568x + 58.339x2 26.963x
R2
Requirement1
0.88 0.87 0.86 0.93
0.257 0.250 0.253 —
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SODIUM LEVELS IN QUAIL Table 7. Age of the bird at first egg (AFE, d) and weight of the first egg (WFE, g) during the phase of 22 to 40 d, and total eggs produced (TEP, no. of egg/bird), total weight of eggs produced in this period (TEW, g), average egg production (AEP, %), and average egg weight (EW, g) of quail from 41 to 63 d of age Na
AFE
WFE
0.04 0.12 0.20 0.28 0.36 Requirement Regression SEM
35.6 35.6 35.6 35.2 34.8 — NS 0.065
6.6 7.5 8.1 6.8 6.6 0.191 Q** 0.121
TEP
TEW
131 144 156 155 147 0.242 Q** 1.847
1,469 1,539 1,732 1,688 1,598 — NS 19.562
AEP
EW
65.6 72.1 78.1 77.3 73.4 0.242 Q** 0.912
11.2 11.0 11.1 11.2 10.9 — NS 0.024
**P < 0.01; Q = quadratic effect.
pression in the soft bone growth. However, the lack of significance between the densitometric data indicates that the use of sodium levels as low as 0.04% are not as drastic, or more likely, that the 16-d duration period of experiment 2 was not long enough to exert an effect on the tibia calcification. In the growing phase of birds, the bone undergoes marked changes with regard to its size and can vary greatly. According to Lazaretti-Castro (2004), these changes do not represent the changes in bone mineral density, but rather in the volumetric growth. Thus, for not being intimately related to bone metabolism, sodium did not show significant changes in the bone densitometry in the tibia of quail at 40 d of age. These results corroborate the findings of Leonard and Shore (2003), who reported that problems relating to bones are associated, when of nutritional problems relating to bones are development associated and linked to the minerals calcium and phosphorus (Shim and Vohra, 1984). Both the Ca content in the tibia of quail collected at 40 d of age and the Ca:P ratio showed a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) due to the Na levels in the diet during the growth phase, whereas the P levels were not affected (Table 9). Sodium should be present in sufficient amount to meet the needs of the bird but not in excess to cause any metabolic harm, because according to a literature review by Silva et al. (2007), sodium levels that cause an imbalance with chlorine either above or below recommendations, could generate complications in the acid-base balance, in the enzyme activity, in the feed
consumption, in the water consumption and excretion, and in the quail growth and egg production. The statements made by Silva et al. (2006) have not been confirmed in relation to the feed consumption. However, changes in the sodium levels of diets were correlated to changes (P < 0.05) in the FW of the birds, and this affects growth rate, water consumption [which had an increasing linear effect (P < 0.05) as the sodium concentration in the diet increased], as well as the egg production. The initial egg production in the phase from 41 to 63 d of age was influenced (P < 0.05), corroborating what had been reported by Silva et al. (2007) in relation to sodium. The relationship between chlorine and sodium may have been altered in the organs of animals because unlike sodium, chlorine was constant in the diet. This change may have caused not only disturbance in the acid-base balance but also the activity of some enzymes. Similar results were described by Murakami et al. (1997), who found no difference in the feed intake in relation to the sodium levels, but that in relation to chlorine that remained constant, changing the relationship between them. Thus, the feed intake is not only influenced by sodium, but also by its relationship with chlorine.
Conclusions Based upon the results found, sodium levels of 0.222% and 0.253% are recommended in the diet of growing quails from 1 to 21 d and from 22 to 40 d of age, respectively. The densitometric variables of growing quail
Table 8. Proximal and distal epiphysis and diaphysis from tibia of Japanese quails fed different levels of sodium (Na) from 22 to 40 d of age1 Na (%)
DE (mm of Al)
PE (mm of Al)
DI (mm of Al)
0.04 0.12 0.20 0.28 0.36 Effect SEM
1.141 0.797 0.865 0.846 0.681
0.885 0.614 1.103 0.695 0.835
1.101 0.771 1.307 0.779 1.117
1DE
± 0.013 ± 0.025 ± 0.126 ± 0.132 ± 0.143 NS 0.031
± 0.009 ± 0.041 ± 0.083 ± 0.047 ± 0.034 NS 0.034
= distal epiphysis; PE = proximal epiphysis; and DI = diaphysis.
± 0.057 ± 0.001 ± 0.085 ± 0.021 ± 0.032 NS 0.043
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Costa et al. Table 9. Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) content and Ca:P ratio from tibia of Japanese quail fed increasing levels of sodium (Na) from 22 to 40 d of age Na (%) 0.04 0.12 0.20 0.28 0.36 Effect SEM Regression R2
Ca (g/kg)
P (g/kg)
Ca:P
260.9 258.7 235.1 242.0 266.5 Q* 2.449 Yij = 279.5 − 381.1x + 935.8x2 0.70
75.8 80.4 80.3 79.6 74.7 NS 0.493 — —
3.4 3.2 2.9 3.0 3.5 Q* 0.050 Yij = 3.827 − 8.642x + 21.76x2 0.91
*(P < 0.05); Q = quadratic effect.
(22–40 d of age) are not influenced by the sodium levels; and the sodium level of 0.242% in the diet improved both the number of eggs and the egg production in the initial production period from 41 to 63 d of age.
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