Effect of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) administration on volumetric bone mineral density, and morphometric and mechanical properties of tibia in male turkeys.

This study was performed to investigate the effects of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) administration on skeletal system properties in turkeys. Thirty-two males were randomly divided into two groups at the age of 35 days of life. The first group included control turkeys (n = 16) treated with placebo, while the second group of birds (HMB group; n = 16) was administered orally with calcium salt of HMB during the last 15 weeks of life. The turkeys were sacrificed at the age of 20 weeks and tibia was isolated for analysis of bone geometrical parameters, volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and mechanical properties. Furthermore, assessment of free amino acid concentrations in plasma was performed. The results showed a 6.3% increase of vBMD of tibia in response to HMB treatment (p < 0.01). Cross-sectional area, second moment of inertia, maximum elastic strength and ultimate strength of tibia were significantly increased in HMB-treated turkeys by 21.3%, 49.0%, 27.2% and 28.3%, respectively (p ≤ 0.01). β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate administration increased plasma concentrations of proline,glutamate, leucine, isoleucine, valine, alanine, aspartate, phenylalanine and cysteic acid (p < 0.05). These results indicate that long-term administration of HMB improves vBMD, and geometrical and mechanical properties of skeletal system in turkeys, and that these effects are associated with improved plasma amino acid concentrations.