Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2026, Vol. 57 ›› Issue (1): 294-304.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2026.01.025

• ANIMAL NUTRITION AND FEEDS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effects of Calcium and Non-Phytate Phosphorus Levels and Electrolyte Balance Value in a Low-Protein Diet on the Growth Performance, Serum Parameters and Metabolic Rate of Nutrients in Broilers

LI Shunying1, DENG Shiwei2(), LIAO Xiudong1, HUANG Liang1, LI Xiaoran1, WANG Chong1, ZHANG Liyang1, LÜ Lin1()   

  1. 1.Mineral Nutrition Research Division,Institute of Animal Science,Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences,Beijing 100193,China
    2.Sichuan Chelota Biotech Corporation Limited,Deyang 618300,China
  • Received:2024-12-25 Online:2026-01-23 Published:2026-01-26
  • Contact: Lü Lin E-mail:632943264@qq.com;lvlin1225@163.com

Abstract:

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of different calcium (Ca), non-phytic phosphorus (NPP) levels and electrolyte balance (DEB) value in a low protein diet on growth performance, serum biochemical indices and metabolic rate of nutrients in broilers. A 3×3 two-factor completely randomized design was adopted. Three dietary calcium and non-phytate phosphorus levels were 0.70% Ca and 0.35% NPP, 0.80% Ca and 0.40% NPP, 0.90% Ca and 0.45%NPP, respectively. And three levels of dietary electrolyte balance (Na++K+-Cl-) were 200, 250 and 300 mmol·kg-1, respectively. In addition, dietary crude protein level was 19.5%. A total of 324 1-day-old Arbor Acres (AA) male broilers were randomly allotted to 1 of 9 treatments with 6 replicate cages per treatment and 6 birds per cage. The experimental period was 21 days. The results showed that: 1) Dietary Ca, NPP and DEB value and their interaction had no significant effect (P>0.05) on growth performance of broilers from 1 to 21 d of age; 2) The interaction of dietary Ca, NPP and DEB value had significant effect (P<0.05) on the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in serum. As dietary Ca and NPP levels were 0.70% and 0.35%, the serum ALT activity from broilers in the 300 mmol·kg-1 DEB value group was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of the 200 and 250 mmol·kg-1 DEB value groups. As the levels of Ca and NPP were 0.80% and 0.40%, the serum ALT activity from broilers in the 250 or 300 mmol·kg-1 DEB value groups was significantly lower (P<0.05) than that in the 200 mmol·kg-1 DEB value group. As the levels of Ca and NPP were 0.90% and 0.45%, DEB levels had no significant effect (P>0.05) on serum ALT activity; 3) As dietary Ca and NPP levels increased, the apparent metabolic rate of Ca decreased significantly (P<0.05). The apparent metabolic rates of dry matter, crude protein and Ca in broilers from 300 mmol·kg-1 DEB value group were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those in 250 and 200 mmol·kg-1 DEB value groups. As the levels of dietary Ca and NPP were 0.70% and 0.35%, 300 mmol·kg-1 DEB value could significantly increase (P<0.05) the apparent metabolic rate of P compared with the 200 and 250 mmol·kg-1 DEB value. And as the levels of Ca and NPP were 0.90% and 0.45%, the apparent metabolic rate of P in 300 mmol·kg-1 DEB value group was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that in the 200 mmol·kg-1 group. These results indicated that the Ca and NPP levels of 0.80% and 0.40% and DEB value of 300 mmol·kg-1 in a low protein diet (Crude protein: 19.5%) were optimal for the growth and nutrient utilization in broilers from 1 to 21 d of age.

Key words: calcium, non-phytic phosphorus, electrolyte balance, low protein diet, broilers

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