Enhancement of plasma calcium concentration by dietary calcium sources andoligosaccharides in neonatal chicks

The effects of dietary calcium (Ca) sources and several oligosaccharides on plasma Ca concentration were examined in the neonatal chick. In the first experiment, the efficiency of Ca carbonate and eggshell Ca was compared by determining plasma Ca concentration at 15, 30, 60 and 120 min post oral adm inistration. It was significantly higher in the eggshell Ca treatment than in the Ca carbonate treatment and the peak for plasma Ca concentration was obtained at 30 min. The effect of dietary oligosaccharides on plasma Ca con centration was investigated by using isomaltooligosaccharides, gentiooligos accharides and nigerooligosaccharides with Ca carbonate. In the second expe riment Nigerooligosaccharides enhanced plasma Ca concentration when compare d with other treatments. The efficacy of lactose and nigerooligosaccharides on plasma Ca concentration was compared in the third experiment, but no si gnificant difference was detected between them. These results suggested tha t plasma Ca concentration of the neonatal chick can be modified by dietary Ca sources and the supplementation with specific oligosaccharides.