Ca-P interaction at the nutritional and bone levels in male quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Abstract

Five experiments were conducted in which various levels of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) were fed to adult male quail (diets D-1: Ca = 1.54%, p = 0.80%; D-2: Ca = 3.20%, P = 0.81%; D-03: Ca = 1.57%, P = 1.66%; D-4: Ca = 3.40%, P = 1.71%; D-5: Ca - 2.20%, P = 0.81%).The interaction between Ca and P, and the effect on some nutritive hematic and osseous parameters were investigated for each diet.Feeding high P caused a body weight decrease in D-4 adult quail (P less than 0.05) and diminished food intake in the birds of trial D-03 (P less than 0.05).The results indicated that the excretion of Ca or P is a lineal function of its own intake.Neither the pattern of relationship between the intake and excretion of Ca was altered by the levels of phosphorus in the diets, nor the levels of calcium altered the pattern of P.With these levels of Ca and P interaction between both nutrients were not demonstrated.Plasma Ca levels and dry weight of femur as well as the ash content in them, were not significantly decreased, although the levels of the latter components were inferior in the groups fed non-adjusted diets in the Ca:P ratio (diets D-1, D-2, D-03 and D-4).