Morphometry and mineralization of tibia bone as influenced by dietary phosphorus in broilers

The influence of eight levels of phosphorus (P) giving 0.45, 0.50, 0.55, 0.60, 0.65, 0.70 0.75 and 0.80% total phosphorus (TP) or 020, 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, 0.40, 0.50 and 0.55% available phosphorus (AP), respectively in broiler diets was examined on the bone morphometry and mineralization of 48 tibiae (6 per treatment) collected at the end of a 6 wk feeding experiment. Significantly (P<0.05) higher width at long axis of tibia was noticed with an increment in dietary P content,whereas no such effects could be noticed on the weight, length, width at Short axis, ash and calcium of tibia bone. Further, it was also obselved that the level giving 0.45% TP (0.20% (AP) in the diet did not support the bone development and mineralization. Finally, it is concluded that the starter diets of broiler chickens should contain a level of 0.55%TP giving 0.30% AP for optimum skeletal system.