Effect of dietary coenzyme Q10 supplementation on serum and bone minerals and leg weakness mortality in broilers

Materials and Methods Bone mineral content was commonly used as an indicator of mineral adequacy diets of poultry [1]. The major minerals that form the inorganic matrix of bone are calcium and phosphorus [2]. The extent of bone mineralization affects bone strength [2] and poor mineralization leads to increased risk of fractures [3]. Skeletal abnormalities and architectural deterioration of bone tissue are common under hot climatic conditions because a high environmental temperature leads to more excretion of minerals like calcium, iron, zinc and lower retention rates of minerals like calcium, phosphorus, sodium, manganese, copper and zinc resulting in decreased bone strength of broilers [4-7]. Heat stress has deleterious effects on the skeletal system by decreasing length and widths of tibia, and by promoting mineralization which in turn reduces bone strength [8]. Rapid growth followed by high nutrient intake with energy high diet alone can cause severe lameness, bone defects, and deformity [9]. Tibia ash and bone calcium and phosphorus per cent in broilers were lower in higher metabolizable energy (ME) fed birds than the low ME diet fed groups [10]. Thus for optimal broiler production in the hot environmental conditions, adequate and appropriate management system is required that can reduce the effects of heat stress on growth as well as mineral excretion to a minimum extent. Calcium absorption is increased by CoQ10 supplementation [11, 12]. The dietary antioxidant supplementation decreased the mineral excretion in hot climatic condition in broilers [4]. CoQ10 is a lipophilic antioxidant and its supplement reduces the oxidative stress and increased the enzymatic antioxidant activity [13]. Hence, the trial was carried out with Coenzyme Q10 which provides the antioxidant property and promotes calcium retention in the system, and may alleviate the adverse effects of heat stress on bone mineralisation.