Effect of the combination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and higher level of calcium and phosphorus in the diets on bone 3D structural development in pullets

Bone issues such as osteoporosis are major concerns for the laying hen industry. A study was conducted to improve bone-health in pullets. A total of 448 one-day-old Hyline W36 pullets were randomly assigned to four treatments (8 rep; 14 birds/rep) until 17 weeks (wks). Dietary treatments were: 1) vitamin D(3) at (2,760 IU/kg) (D), 2) vitamin D(3) (2,760 IU/kg)+62.5 mg 25-(OH)D(3)/ton (H25D), 3) vitamin D(3) (2,760 IU/kg) + 62.5 mg 25-(OH)D(3)/ton + high Ca&P (H25D + Ca/P), and 4) vitamin D(3) (2,760 IU/kg) + high Ca&P (D + Ca/P). The high calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) diet was modified by increasing both high calcium and phosphorus by 30% (2:1) for the first 12 wks and then only increasing P for 12–17 wks to reduce the Ca to P ratio. At 17 wk, growth performance was measured, whole body composition was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and femur bones were scanned using Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) for bone 3D structure analyses. The data were subjected to a one-way ANOVA using the GLM procedure, with means deemed significant at p < 0.05. There was no significant outcome for growth performance or dual energy x-ray absorptiometry parameters. Micro-computed tomography results indicated that the H25D + Ca/P treatment had lower open pore volume space, open porosity, total volume of pore space, and total porosity in the cortical bone compared to the D + Ca/P. It also showed that a higher cortical bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) in the H25D + Ca/P than in the D + Ca/P. Furthermore, the H25D + Ca/P treatment had the lowest trabecular pattern factor and structure model index compared to the other treatments, which indicates its beneficial effects on trabecular structural development. Moreover, the H25D + Ca/P had a higher trabecular percentage compared to the D and 25D, which suggests the additional high calcium and phosphorus supplementation on top of 25D increased trabecular content in the cavity. In conclusion, the combination of 25D with higher levels of high calcium and phosphorus could improve cortical bone quality in pullets and showed a beneficial effect on trabecular bone 3D structural development. Thus, combination of a higher bio-active form of vitamin D(3) and higher levels of high calcium and phosphorus could become a potential feeding strategy to improve bone structural integrity and health in pullets.