Efficacy of several vitamin D compounds in the prevention of tibial dyschondroplasia in broiler chickens.

Studies were conducted to evaluate several cholecalciferol (D3 metabolites: 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25-(OH)2D3], 1,24R,25-trihydroxycholecalciferol [1,24R,25-(OH)3D3], 1 alpha-hydroxy-cholecalciferol (1 alpha-OHD3), 24R,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [24R,25-(OH)2D3], 1,25-dihydroxy-26,27 hexadeuterium cholecalciferol (1,25-(OH)2-26,27[2H]6D3) and 1,25-dihydroxy-24R-fluorocholecalciferol [1,25-(OH)2-24R-FD3] for their activity in preventing the development of tibial dyschondroplasia in broilers. The basal diet used is low in calcium, high in phosphorus and chlorine and is known to promote a high incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia. The chicks received ultraviolet radiation from fluorescent lights in addition to 1100 ICU/kg (27.5 micrograms/kg) of D3 in the basal diet. Supplementation of the diet with 10 micrograms/kg of all the metabolites except 24R,25-(OH)2D3 significantly lowered the incidence and severity of tibial dyschondroplasia and increased bone ash when compared to birds receiving the basal diet. None of the active D3 metabolites was effective when fed at 0.1 or 1.0 micrograms/kg of diet. Two active compounds tested [1,25-(OH)2D3 and 1,24R,25-(OH)3D3] at 5 micrograms/kg of diet were effective in reducing either the incidence or severity of tibial dyschondroplasia.