British Poultry Science最新文献

{"title":"Monochromatic green and blue light stimulated fat production in the liver and abdominal fat tissue of broilers.","authors":"N Xie, L Wang, G Hu, G Cao, D Wang, C Du, Z Wang, Y Chen, J Cao","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2026.2705327","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2026.2705327","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. This study evaluated the effects of monochromatic lights on lipid metabolism, inflammation and antioxidant capacity in broilers. Eighty newly hatched broilers were assigned to four treatment groups (<i>n</i> = 20/group) and exposed to white (400-700 nm), red (660 nm), green (560 nm), or blue (480 nm) LED light for 35 d.2. Abdominal adipose tissue histology, tissue weight, plasma hormones, blood biochemistry, lipid metabolism gene/protein expression, antioxidant activity and inflammatory levels were assessed.3. Green and blue light exposure increased abdominal adipose tissue weight, adipocyte size and relative area of lipid droplets (<i>p</i> < 0.05). These groups exhibited elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), adiponectin (adipoQ), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and Triglyceride (TG) levels (<i>p</i> < 0.05), concurrent with reduced free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations in plasma and adipose tissue.4. Green and blue light increased fat synthesis gene expression (<i>Scd1</i>and<i>Srebp1</i>; <i>p</i> < 0.05) while downregulating fatty acid (FA) uptake genes (<i>Cd36</i>; <i>p</i> < 0.001), FA β-oxidation genes (<i>Cpt-1</i>and<i>PPARα</i>; <i>p</i> < 0.05) and lipid export genes (<i>ApoB</i>; <i>p</i> < 0.05) in the liver. Additionally, blue light significantly inhibited lipolysis-related genes (<i>ATGL, HSL, LPL</i>; <i>p</i> < 0.001) to a greater extent than it affected fat synthesis compared with white light in abdominal adipose tissue.5. Both green and blue lights upregulated anti-inflammatory factors (IL-4, IL-10; <i>p</i> < 0.05), elevated glutathione (GSH), total glutathione (T-GSH) and oxidised glutathione/glutathione (GSSG/GSH) ratios (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and pro-inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Notably, green light treatment had the highest total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the liver and abdominal adipose tissues.6. The results suggested exposure to monochromatic blue and green light leads to lipid accumulation, decreased inflammation and improved antioxidant capacity and green light may offer superior protection against oxidative stress.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148808268","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Incorporation of Z-linked effect into random regression model to evaluate the body weight in chickens.","authors":"J Guo, D Shao, M Ma, T Dou, Y Hu, X Wang, J Lu, Q Wang, Y Li, W Guo, H Tong, L Qu","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2026.2680675","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2026.2680675","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. The present study investigated the extent and impact of a Z-linked genetic effect on sexual size dimorphism. It estimated genetic parameters for the body weights of layer chickens during the period of 7 to 84 d, using random regression model.2. Body weights of 5,296 birds were measured at four different ages. Two random regression models that described the weight of individual birds, with and without a Z-chromosome relationship matrix, were compared. The fixed effects covariate included the coefficients of genetic group and inbreeding (both quadratic effects). Heterogeneous residual variances were modelled by grouping the test period into seven subgroups. A sixth-order polynomial was used to model the mean weight of the population.3. Covariance components were estimated using the AIREML method. Models were compared using Akaike information criterion, Bayesian information criterion and residual values. The models including quadratic and cubic polynomials for additive direct and permanent environmental effects, respectively, and linear polynomials for Z-linked genetic effects were the best.4. According to the best model, autosome heritability was estimated in the range of 0.19-0.38 with a decrease from 7 to 20 d of age and a subsequent fluctuation around 0.22 to the end of the trajectory. The Z-linked heritability increased from 0.14 at 7 d to 0.50 at 56 d and then declined moderately to 0.40 at 84 d.5. Permanent environmental variance increased with age. However, the maximum proportion emerged at 16 d of age. The estimate of Z-linked genetic correlations between weeks was high at over 0.82.6. The results illustrated the potential of a Z-linked relationship matrix for genetic evaluations of body weight in poultry, using random regression models.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148788432","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Key regulatory genes and pathways in spermatogenesis identified by transcriptome profiling of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis during sexual maturation in Wenchang roosters.","authors":"Y Liu, S Azim, J Li, B Zhang, Z Zhang, X Luo, C Su, X Liu, Y Feng","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2026.2702458","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2026.2702458","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. Despite the pivotal role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in avian reproduction, the underlying molecular mechanisms that govern sexual maturity and spermatogenesis in roosters are not well elucidated. This study aimed to explore gene expression changes in the HPG axis using Wenchang cockerels.2. Phenotypic results showed significant testicular growth from 18 to 20 weeks of age. Transcriptome analyses identified 2,154 differentially expressed genes (DEG) in testes, which was markedly higher than those identified in hypothalamus (52 DEG) and pituitary (27 DEG).3. Functional enrichment analysis showed neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions and hormone transport pathways in the hypothalamus and pituitary and ciliary motility and spermatogenesis pathways in the testes.4. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks analysis pinpointed key hub genes, such as <i>BDNF</i>, <i>NPTX2</i>, <i>TEKT2</i>, <i>TEKT3</i>, <i>CFAP52</i>, and <i>MNS1</i>, associated with spermatogenesis and sperm motility.5. This research gave insights into the genetic regulatory networks within the HPG axis that orchestrate testicular development and maturation in roosters, paving the way for potential applications in the molecular breeding of breeding roosters for reproductive optimisation.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148788341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genome-wide association study of egg numbers across different laying phases in a large-scale layer population.","authors":"Y Ni, S Huang, T Bai, K Khurshid, X Zhao, X Liu, S Qin, H Wang, L Liu, M Zhao, J Ge, T Geng, D Gong, H Gong","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2026.2705331","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2026.2705331","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. Egg production is a primary economic driver in the poultry industry, determining the total yield of commercial layers. However, the complex polygenic mechanism remains largely elusive. This study investigated the phase-specific genetic mechanisms of egg production using a high-precision genomic approach.2. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted on a layer population (<i>n</i> = 3,587). Egg numbers were recorded across four distinct production phases: onset to 300 days, 301 to 560 days, 561 to 651 days and the cumulative onset to 651 days period. Following whole-genome SNP genotyping, GWAS signals were integrated with functional enrichment analyses to prioritise key loci and candidate genes associated with egg‑number traits.3. A total of 425 significant SNP were identified across the evaluated phases. Functional annotation revealed significant enrichment in 47 GO terms and four KEGG pathways, primarily involved in cell cycle regulation, cytoskeleton assembly and reproductive development. <i>MAP2K3</i>, <i>TRIM37</i> and <i>ACTR3</i>were highlighted as compelling candidate genes. Potential genetic markers were identified, including rs14072717 within <i>MAP2K3</i>, a cluster of nine SNP within the <i>ACTR3</i> locus and three variants within <i>TRIM37</i>.4. These findings elucidated the dynamic genetic regulation of egg production throughout the laying cycle and highlight <i>MAP2K3</i>, <i>TRIM37</i> and <i>ACTR3</i> as genomic targets. These markers provide a foundation for marker-assisted selection to enhance egg yield and production persistency in poultry.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-7"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148788415","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multienzyme supplementation improves bone strength in nutrient-restricted broilers without altering locomotor ability or pectoral myopathy severity.","authors":"M J Vieira, J K Valentim, R A R de Léo, K M Gomes, A M Ribeiro, M de Oliveira Mendonça, C L N Ribeiro, R G Garcia, T Tizziani, S Sgavioli, A A Calderano","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2026.2714016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00071668.2026.2714016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. This study evaluated the effects of exogenous enzyme supplementation on bone quality, locomotor ability and pectoral myopathy severity in broilers given nutrient-restricted diets.2. A total of 1,400 one-day-old male Cobb 500 broilers were distributed among seven treatments. These included a positive control (PC); NC1 (reductions of 100 kcal ME/kg, 0.18% available phosphorus and 0.20% calcium); NC2 (reductions of 1.5% crude protein, 0.18% available phosphorus and 0.20% calcium); NC3 (combined reductions of 100 kcal ME/kg, 1.5% crude protein, 0.18% available phosphorus and 0.20% calcium); and their respective enzyme-supplemented diets: NC1 + phytase + carbohydrases (CPNC1), NC2 + phytase + protease (PPNC2) and NC3 + phytase + carbohydrases + protease (CPPNC3).3. Locomotor ability was assessed using gait score, pododermatitis, angular deformities and tibial dyschondroplasia. Bone quality was evaluated using tibial morphometry, Seedor index, ash content and mechanical resistance. Pectoral myopathies (wooden breast and white striping) were assessed.4. Nutrient restriction without enzyme supplementation reduced tibial weight, length, Seedor index and bone strength (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Compared with nutrient-restricted diets, enzyme supplementation increased bone strength, with PPNC2 restoring mechanical resistance to values comparable to those of the PC (<i>p</i> < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in gait score, tibial dyschondroplasia, angular deformities, or wooden breast severity (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Femoral degeneration scores were lower in birds fed nutrient-restricted diets, regardless of enzyme supplementation (<i>p</i> = 0.037). Pododermatitis scores were lower in NC2 and CPPNC3 than in the PC (<i>p</i> < 0.01). White striping severity differed among treatments (<i>p</i> = 0.038), with lower scores in birds fed nutrient-restricted diets without enzyme supplementation, although the magnitude of these differences was small.5. Exogenous multienzyme supplementation improved bone strength in broilers fed nutrient-restricted diets without adversely affecting locomotor ability. However, it did not consistently reduce pectoral myopathy severity, reinforcing the multifactorial nature of these conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148758823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy of aniseed essential oil as natural preservative in meat emulsion at refrigeration temperature.","authors":"S Verma, A K Verma, P Umaraw, V P Singh, J Pratap","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2595646","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2595646","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. This experiment examined the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of aniseed oil (AO) in meat emulsions. Spices are integral part of emulsion-based products imparting desirable flavours. In the search for chemical-free preservatives, these spices hold promising potential for extending the shelf-life of meat emulsions.2. Three different levels of aniseed essential oil viz. AO1 (0.25%), AO2 (0.5%), AO3 (0.75%) and control C (without aniseed essential oil) were incorporated in chicken meat emulsions. Samples were assessed for changes in physico-chemical, antioxidant activity, lipid oxidation, microbiological parameters and visual sensory scores during refrigerated storage under aerobic packaging. Samples were evaluated at a regular interval of 3 d until the appearance of incipient spoilage.3. Titratable acidity, emulsion stability and extract release volume decreased significantly, whereas pH value increased (<i>p</i> < 0.05) among all samples throughout storage. Total phenolic, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulphonic and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl acid per cent inhibition increased as the level of aniseed oil incorporation increased among groups. However, this value reduced considerably (<i>p</i> < 0.05) during storage.4. Peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, free fatty acid content and microbial quality parameters increased (<i>p</i> < 0.05) by the end of storage. Visual sensory attributes score of AO2 were rated higher than AO3, although sensory score declined (<i>p</i> < 0.05) in all groups during storage.5. The results showed that AO2 maintained better sensorial characteristics than AO3 and sustained physicochemical, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity compared to the control, AO1.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"571-581"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146117971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identifying key pathways and genes in the progression of wooden breast across multiple broiler lines using weighted gene co-expression network analysis.","authors":"H Yuan, K Xu, Q Xu, S Liu, S Wang","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2593647","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2593647","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. Wooden breast (WB) is a common muscle abnormality in the <i>pectoralis major</i> (PM) muscle of broilers that results in significant economic losses for the poultry industry, although its incidence varies in different broiler lines. However, there are few reports on the genes and pathways involved in WB using RNA-seq or microarray data across multiple lines.2. The current study obtained three datasets (GSE127806, GSE144000 and GSE79276) from different broiler lines in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was then performed using GSE127806 and GSE144000 datasets and identified consensus modules significantly correlated with WB (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05). Preservation analysis showed that one consensus module was strongly preserved (<i>Zsummary</i> < 2), and two others were moderately preserved (2 < <i>Zsummary</i> < 10) in the GSE79276 dataset.3. Functional enrichment analysis revealed seven key genes (<i>FN1</i>, <i>SPP1</i>, <i>CD44</i>, <i>TNC</i>, <i>BAK1</i>, <i>TNFRSF1A</i> and <i>CTSK</i>) related to WB were significantly enriched in the extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction pathway and in the apoptosis pathway in one consensus module. The genes <i>ACO2</i>, <i>MDH2</i> and <i>SUCLG1</i> were significantly enriched in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) cycle pathway. From the protein-protein interaction analysis, hub genes linked to WB were identified. Seven of these genes are known to participate in muscle contraction (<i>TNNI1</i>, <i>TNNT1</i>, <i>TNNT2</i>, <i>TNNT3</i>, <i>TPM3</i>, <i>TMOD3</i> and <i>TMOD4</i>) and three others in the TCA cycle (<i>ACO2</i>, <i>MDH2</i> and <i>SUCLG1</i>).4. This study identified key genes and pathways associated with WB, deepening the understanding of the mechanism by which fibrosis (mediated by genes such as <i>FN1</i>) influences WB. It further revealed the important role of the TCA cycle and apoptosis in the pathogenesis of WB.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"505-514"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145910485","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phylogenetic perspectives of rare Tukong rumpless chickens in Indonesia based on complete mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequences.","authors":"Y A Tribudi, V M A Nurgiartiningsih, M Ulfah, M H Natsir, D Maharani, A P Z N L Sari, D N H Hariyono, R Crooijmans, I Lovadi, D A Lestari, A Ibrahim","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2601730","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2601730","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. This study investigated the maternal lineage and genetic diversity of indigenous Indonesian chickens using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop sequences to assess population structure and maternal origins.2. Fifty-two samples from eight chicken populations were sequenced for the 1231 bp mtDNA D-loop region. A total of 26 haplotypes were identified, with high diversity observed across all populations (Hd = 0.700-0.933). Most chickens, including Tukong, clustered in haplogroup D1, which suggested a shared maternal lineage common to Southeast Asian domesticated chickens. Two individuals (KUB2 and TK2) were positioned in sub-haplogroup D2, indicating sequence divergence. Merawang and Nunukan chickens were grouped into haplogroups A and B, respectively, consistent with haplotypes shared with Chinese and Japanese chickens, pointing to historical maternal introgression, likely <i>via</i> trade or migration. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that 28.45% of genetic variation existed among populations (Fst = 0.284, <i>p</i> < 0.001), which indicated a moderate but statistically significant population structure.3. Multiple haplogroups in Indonesian chickens reflect complex maternal origins and past gene flow from outside populations. These findings highlighted the importance of understanding genetic structure to inform the management and characterisation of native breeds. The distinct maternal lineages in Merawang and Nunukan showed historical introductions, while the close relationship among Tukong and Kampung chickens implied interbreeding under extensive rearing systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"522-532"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145997280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A review of resistant starch as a functional fibre in poultry: microbial fermentation and short-chain fatty acid interaction-mediated effects on gut and bone health.","authors":"I W Oluseyifunmi, O A Olukosi","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2601731","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2601731","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. This review discusses the functional role of resistant starch (RS) in poultry. It was hypothesised that RS-microbiota interactions and microbial fermentation-derived short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) mediate improvements in nutrient digestion, immune modulation, gut and bone integrity.2. The fermentation of RS in the distal gastrointestinal tract produces microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) which selectively modulate gut microbial community. Individual SCFA are linked with different bacteria groups and taxa. The bacteria, in turn, may increase the production of SCFA. Different RS and concentrations in diets may yield variable quantities and profiles of SCFA under distinct physiological conditions and in different animal species.3. These SCFA regulate cytokine production <i>via</i> activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPRs), GPR43(FFAR2) and GPR41 (FFAR3) and/or inhibiting histone deacetylase (HDAC) in immune and mononuclear cells. These play crucial roles in modulating the immune system, gut health and bone health.4. Overall, RS-microbiota interactions and SCFA production provide a mechanistic basis for improving intestinal and skeletal health in poultry, particularly under inflammatory challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"615-625"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145932163","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Response of broiler chickens offered choices of feeds varying in calcium and phosphorus concentration from 0 to 21 days of age.","authors":"D Backhouse, A J Cowieson, R M Gous, C Jansen van Rensburg","doi":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2598299","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00071668.2025.2598299","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>1. This study tested the ability of broiler chickens to regulate dietary calcium (Ca) and retainable phosphorus (rP) intake when offered choices of complete diets varying in Ca and rP concentration from 0 to 21 d of age.2. Males and females were reared separately under standard conditions and offered either a single diet in some treatments, or in other treatments, a choice of two diets varying in Ca and rP concentration, resulting in 10 dietary treatments. Body weight and feed intake were measured at 7, 14 and 21 d. For each choice treatment, the intake of each diet as a proportion of the total intake was determined. Tibial ash concentration, Ca concentration, phosphorus (P) concentration and breaking strength were determined at 21 d.3. For the choice treatments, in which one diet was low in rP and the other high in rP, feed intake significantly favoured high rP concentration. Body weight gain responded positively to increasing rP intake, apparently regardless of Ca intake, although bone density and structural integrity were maximised when rP and Ca intake were both high.4. The principle that broiler chickens can select between feedstuffs to achieve intake that maximises growth, and, arguably, fitness, was seen in the diet choice of broiler chickens in the current experiment, at least for dietary Ca and rP.</p>","PeriodicalId":9322,"journal":{"name":"British Poultry Science","volume":" ","pages":"626-637"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146123934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}