Classic and Non-Classic Effects of the Duration of Supplementation of 25-Hydroxicholecalciferol in Broiler Chicken Diets

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the effect of different times of supplementation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3) in broiler chickens on the performance, carcass and cuts yield, bone resistance, plasma concentration of 25(OH)D3, and expression of the mTOR gene. The treatments were a control diet (CD) supplemented with 3000 IU vitamin D3/kg of feed from 1 to 46 d, or the CD + 2760 IU (69 mcg) of 25(OH)D3/kg of feed from 1 to 21 d, from 1 to 35 d, or from 1 to 46 d. The period of supplementation of 25(OH)D3 did not affect the growth performance of broilers, but the breast meat yield was linearly increased in response to increasing days of supplementation (p 3 at the time of the analysis showed an increase (p 3 when compared to non-supplemented birds. The mTOR gene expression (p p 3. The fat content of the breast linearly decreased (p 3 plasma levels (r = 0.593; p < 0.05).

Keywords

• broiler
• breast yield
• mTOR
• 25(OH)D₃