Abstract
The background to determine the standard macro minerals requirement for geese is very important for growth, production and health. Until now, there are no clear standard mineral requirements for the local Egyptian geese. Consequently, the present experiment was aimed at estimating the influence of different dietary calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) concentrations on lipid profile, antioxidant and immunity parameters of the growing Egyptian geese. A total number of 120 Egyptian goslings (4 weeks old), with almost the same body weights were divided into 4 groups (30 goslings/group) randomly. All groups were subdivided into six replicates, each replicate contains five birds. A 2 x 2 factorial experiment was done with 2 dietary levels of Ca (0.70 and 0.85%) and P (0.35 and 0.45%) in the diets. Lipid parameters were not significantly changed except for low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol decreased significantly at dietary 0.85% Ca, and 0.45% P levels. The lipid parameters were not altered by the interaction between Ca and P levels except triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol. Dietary supplementation of 0.85% Ca, and 0.45% P improved superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH) and decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration. The most examined immune parameters were improved by the main and the interaction effect of P and Ca levels in geese diets. In conclusion, the present findings show that the best dietary Ca and P requirements for growing Egyptian geese are 0.85%, and 0.45% respectively, without any detrimental effects on health and immune status.