Calcium homeostasis in the laying hen. 1. Age and dietary calcium effects

An experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of age of laying hens (young = 22 wk vs old = 120 wk) in maintaining Ca homeostasis during periods of Ca depletion then repletion with Ca. Plasma Ca and P, tibia breaking strength and percentage ash, renal 25-hydroxycholecalciferol-1-hydroxylase (1 alpha-hydroxylase), and parathyroid hormone (PTH)-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities were studied during 28 d of Ca depletion on a .08% Ca diet (LC) and 28 d of Ca repletion on a 3.75% Ca diet (HC). When laying hens on a HC diet were placed on a LC diet, plasma Ca and P, tibia breaking strength and ash percentage, and renal PTH-dependent adenylate cyclase activity were significantly depressed, but renal 1 alpha-hydroxylase activity was significantly stimulated. These changes were greater in the young hens than in the older hens; therefore an interaction between age and dietary Ca was found. These changes were of a lesser magnitude at 28 d of Ca depletion, probably due to the cessation of egg laying and to the desensitization of hormone-mediated function. 1 alpha-Hydroxylase activity was significantly less during the repletion period. The age effect was most pronounced for 1 alpha-hydroxylase, with the younger birds expressing significantly higher activity and ability to respond to hypocalcemia. There was a significant increase in kidney weights in Ca-deficient groups at 14 and 28 d of Ca depletion. It is concluded that younger hens have greater adaptive responses to Ca restriction than do older hens.