Effects of Dietary Calcium and Phosphorus on Performance and Carcass, Metacarpal and Turbinate Characteristics of Swine

Abstract

Data reported by Chapman et al. (1962), Combs et al. (1962), Miller et al. (1962, 1964) and Rutledge, Hanson and Meade (1961) suggest that calcium and phosphorus levels needed for optimal skeletal development may be greater than those levels required for optimal growth. Brown, Krook and Pond (1966) concluded that high levels of calcium and phosphorus were necessary to prevent atrophy of the turbinate bones; however, the reports of Libal et al. (1969), Peo et al. (1969), Cromwell et al. (1970) and Liptrap et al. (1970) do not agree with this conclusion. Cromwell et al. (1970) reported that rate and efficiency of gain and ash content of the turbinates and metacarpals were not significantly improved by increasing the phosphorus level above current National Research Council (1968) standards for growing pigs. A phosphorus deficiency, however, resulted in slower and less efficient gains, fatter carcasses, lower ash content in the metacarpals and a marked reduction in the ash content of the turbinates.