Skeletal abnormalities, low bone mass, bone deformities, and bone fractures increase
the risk of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, which are of concern from both a public
standpoint and a cost-of-care burden standpoint. Arginine silicate inositol complex
(ASI; Arg = 49.47%, silicone = 8.2%, inositol = 25%) is a novel, bioavailable source
of Si and Arg and one that offers potential benefits for vascular and bone health.
Skeletal abnormalities and architectural deterioration of bone tissue are common under
hot climate conditions in the poultry industry. In this study, we evaluated the effects
of ASI supplementation on performance and bone mineral density (BMD) in Japanese quail
(Coturnix coturnix japonica) exposed to the high ambient temperature of 34 degrees
C. The birds (n = 180; 10 d old) were randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups consisting
of 10 replicates of 3 birds. Birds were kept in wire cages in a temperature-controlled
room at either 22 degrees C (thermoneutral; TN) or 34 degrees C (heat stress; HS)
for 8 h/d (0900 to 1700 h until the end of study) and were fed a basal (control) diet
or the basal diet supplemented with either 500 or 1,000 mg of ASI/kg of diet. Heat
exposure decreased performance and bone mineralization when the basal diet was fed
(P = 0.001). The ASI supplement had no effect on feed intake, BW, feed efficiency,
and carcass traits (P > 0.05) in quails reared under TN or HS conditions. The BMD
was significantly improved by ASI supplementation in both TN and HS groups [0.72 (TN)
vs. 0.60 (HS); P < or = 0.05]. Serum osteocalcin, dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations,
and alkaline phosphatase activity increased, whereas tumor necrosis factor-alpha and
Creactive protein concentrations decreased, as dietary ASI supplementation increased
in quail reared under HS. This improvement was linear with increased doses of supplement
(P = 0.001). In the ASI group, the amount of Ca, P, Mg, and Mn in the excreta decreased
(P < or = 0.05), and the concentrations of these minerals in tibia ash increased in
quail reared under HS conditions (P < or = 0.05). In conclusion, ASI supplementation
to the basal diet significantly improved bone mineralization in quail and did not
impact feed consumption, BW gain, or feed efficiency.