Earlier studies have shown the importance of adequate
protein and energy levels in the diet for the skeletal
development of different animal species. Rats fed diets with
low-energy levels showed thinner growth plates and
alterations in alkaline and acid phosphatase activities
(Kanagawa et al., 1990). Leterrier et al. (1998) observed
that broilers fed low-energy diets showed a reduced growth
rate. Rats receiving protein-deficient diets showed a
reduced growth of long bone, with the diameter being
more affected than the length (Reichling and German-
Rebecca, 2000). Nevertheless, the affected bones grew for a
longer period of time, indicating that bone tissue may have
a compensatory growth. On the other hand, turkeys fed
low-protein diets showed no differences in the incidence of
skeletal abnormalities when compared to those fed highprotein
diets (Kirn and Firman, 1992).