Implementation of a digestible calcium system: Why is it needed and where are we?
Summary: The regulation of blood calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) levels are closely intertwined, requiring that their metabolically available supply in the diet be carefully balanced. The majority of the P in plant-based feed ingredients is stored as phytate, which is poorly digestible by broilers,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Applied Poultry Research |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1056617125000157 |
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| author | K.M. Venter R. Angel D.R. Korver M. Cunha P.W. Plumstead |
| author_facet | K.M. Venter R. Angel D.R. Korver M. Cunha P.W. Plumstead |
| author_sort | K.M. Venter |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Summary: The regulation of blood calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) levels are closely intertwined, requiring that their metabolically available supply in the diet be carefully balanced. The majority of the P in plant-based feed ingredients is stored as phytate, which is poorly digestible by broilers, while inorganic P sources also show significant variability in digestibility. For decades, poultry nutritionists have incorporated available P in diet formulation, recognizing that the digestibility of P in feedstuffs is highly variable. In contrast, poultry diets are still formulated on a total Ca (tCa) basis, overlooking the variable digestibility of Ca from different dietary sources. Incorrect assumptions regarding the digestibility of Ca can lead to Ca imbalances, which negatively affect both broiler health and overall performance. Furthermore, the influence of Ca and limestone on phytase efficacy, which plays a critical role in enhancing P availability by breaking down phytate, is highlighted. As the poultry industry moves towards implementing a digestible Ca (dCa) system, the development of accurate prediction equations for limestone digestibility becomes essential. Such an approach not only improves the precision of diet formulation but also enhances overall broiler performance by ensuring a more balanced and metabolically available supply of both Ca and P. Transitioning to a dCa system, in conjunction with phytase use, represents a critical step in optimizing nutrient efficiency and improving sustainability in modern poultry production. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-53179913a7b247c2a9037c6d90f5df92 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1056-6171 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Applied Poultry Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-53179913a7b247c2a9037c6d90f5df922025-08-20T03:13:25ZengElsevierJournal of Applied Poultry Research1056-61712025-06-0134210052910.1016/j.japr.2025.100529Implementation of a digestible calcium system: Why is it needed and where are we?K.M. Venter0R. Angel1D.R. Korver2M. Cunha3P.W. Plumstead4Department of Animal Science, University of Pretoria, 0002, South Africa; Neuro Livestock Research, Kameeldrift, Brits, South Africa; Corresponding author at: Department of Animal Science, University of Pretoria, 0002, South Africa.Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, USAAlpine Poultry Nutrition, Inc., Edmonton, AB Canada; University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, CanadaDanisco Animal Nutrition, Av. Sylvio Honório Penteado, 370, Tamboré Barueri, SP 06455-000 BrazilNeuro Livestock Research, Kameeldrift, Brits, South AfricaSummary: The regulation of blood calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) levels are closely intertwined, requiring that their metabolically available supply in the diet be carefully balanced. The majority of the P in plant-based feed ingredients is stored as phytate, which is poorly digestible by broilers, while inorganic P sources also show significant variability in digestibility. For decades, poultry nutritionists have incorporated available P in diet formulation, recognizing that the digestibility of P in feedstuffs is highly variable. In contrast, poultry diets are still formulated on a total Ca (tCa) basis, overlooking the variable digestibility of Ca from different dietary sources. Incorrect assumptions regarding the digestibility of Ca can lead to Ca imbalances, which negatively affect both broiler health and overall performance. Furthermore, the influence of Ca and limestone on phytase efficacy, which plays a critical role in enhancing P availability by breaking down phytate, is highlighted. As the poultry industry moves towards implementing a digestible Ca (dCa) system, the development of accurate prediction equations for limestone digestibility becomes essential. Such an approach not only improves the precision of diet formulation but also enhances overall broiler performance by ensuring a more balanced and metabolically available supply of both Ca and P. Transitioning to a dCa system, in conjunction with phytase use, represents a critical step in optimizing nutrient efficiency and improving sustainability in modern poultry production.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1056617125000157limestoneCalcium and phosphorous digestibilityPhytasePhytate |
| spellingShingle | K.M. Venter R. Angel D.R. Korver M. Cunha P.W. Plumstead Implementation of a digestible calcium system: Why is it needed and where are we? Journal of Applied Poultry Research limestone Calcium and phosphorous digestibility Phytase Phytate |
| title | Implementation of a digestible calcium system: Why is it needed and where are we? |
| title_full | Implementation of a digestible calcium system: Why is it needed and where are we? |
| title_fullStr | Implementation of a digestible calcium system: Why is it needed and where are we? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Implementation of a digestible calcium system: Why is it needed and where are we? |
| title_short | Implementation of a digestible calcium system: Why is it needed and where are we? |
| title_sort | implementation of a digestible calcium system why is it needed and where are we |
| topic | limestone Calcium and phosphorous digestibility Phytase Phytate |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1056617125000157 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kmventer implementationofadigestiblecalciumsystemwhyisitneededandwherearewe AT rangel implementationofadigestiblecalciumsystemwhyisitneededandwherearewe AT drkorver implementationofadigestiblecalciumsystemwhyisitneededandwherearewe AT mcunha implementationofadigestiblecalciumsystemwhyisitneededandwherearewe AT pwplumstead implementationofadigestiblecalciumsystemwhyisitneededandwherearewe |