Investigation on bioavailability of rumen bacterial and protozoal phosphorus using a chick-model

Document Type : Original Research Article (Regular Paper)

Authors

1 Shahrekord University

2 Animal Science Department, Agricultural College, Shahrekord University P.O. Box 115, Shahrekord, Iran

Abstract

Ruminal bacteria and protozoa provide excellent organic phosphorus (P) sources for the host animal. This experiment was conducted to compare the bioavailability of bacterial and protozoal P in comparison with that of dicalcium phosphate (DCP) as a reference phosphorus source. Bacteria and protozoa were isolated from the rumen contents of dairy cows and the chick-model was used to determine the phosphorus bioavailability. Fifteen day-old chicks were used in a completely randomized design with 4 treatments consisting of a control diet (without P, as a basal diet), bacterial P+basal diet, protozoalP+basal diet, and DCP+basal diet. Phosphorus balance was selected as the response criterion for phosphorus bioavailability assessment, using multiple linear regressions. The results showed a higher phosphorus bioavailability of protozoal P and DCP compared with bacterial P (P

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