An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of fruit hydroalcoholic extract of Withania coagulans (WC) and 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on performance and bone mineralization of male chickens. Diets were arranged factorially (2×3×2) consisted of a positive control with adequate Ca (10.4 g/kg diet) and nonphytate P       exceed the requirements suggested in the Ross 308 broiler nutrient specifications and a                     g/kg diet), three levels of Withania coagulans (0, 100 and 200 mg/kg diet), and two levels of 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol !!#    Both Ca and P retention significantly increased by reducing dietary Ca level (P<0.001). A two way interaction among control and WC on Ca retention led to significantly increased in Ca retention with increase in the levels of WC to 200 mg/kg at positive control diet. No main effects of experimental treatments on tibia physical characteristics and bone mineralization were observed except for tibia diameter. Reducing the dietary Ca level by 30 % decreased tibia diameter (P<0.05) at 42 day of age.

کلمات کلیدی