Hyper dense vertebrae and mineral content in Atlantic salmon( Salmo salar L.) fed diets with graded levels of phytic acid

• Published in: Aquaculture Vol. 261; no. 2; pp. 603 - 614
• Main Authors: Helland, Synnøve, Denstadli, Vegard, Witten, P. Eckhard, Hjelde, Kirsti, Storebakken, Trond, Skrede, Anders, Åsgård, Torbjørn, Baeverfjord, Grete
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 24.11.2006; Elsevier Science; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Subjects: Acids; anadromous fish; Animal aquaculture; Animal productions; Aquaculture; Atlantic salmon; Biological and medical sciences; feed supplements; Fish; fish culture; fish feeding; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Hyper dense vertebrae; Magnesium; Marine; Marine biology; mineral metabolism; Phosphorus; Phytic acid; Salmo salar; Salmon; skeletal development; vertebrae; Zinc; Phosphorus; Atlantic salmon; Magnesium; Phytic acid; Hyper dense vertebrae; Zinc; Salmonidae; Vertebrata; Diet; Pisces; Salmo salar; Aquaculture
• ISSN: 0044-8486; 1873-5622
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2006.08.027

The effects of graded levels of phytic acid on skeletal development and mineral deposition were investigated in an 80 day feeding trial with Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar L.) parr. The level of phytic acid had no significant effect on the phosphorus (P) content of either whole body or vertebral column of Atlantic salmon. Negative effects of high phytic acid levels were, however, found on whole body concentration of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and in the Ca:P ratio, and in the vertebral column concentration of zinc (Zn). A novel type of vertebral pathology was observed, hyper dense (HD) vertebrae. The HD vertebrae appeared denser on radiographic images, and they consisted of a denser trabecular network than the surrounding vertebrae. The number of fish with HD vertebrae increased from initially 16% to 45–60%, with a tendency of more fish with HD vertebrae with increasing dietary phytic acid content. The HD vertebrae are described and illustrated with radiographic images, whole mount staining, and histology.