植酸酶提高肉鸡生长性能和磷利用率的研究

本研究在不同类型和有效磷水平日粮中添加植酸酶对肉用仔鸡进行生长性能和磷利用效果评定，结果表明：①不同有效磷水平日粮加植酸酶（２００～４００Ｐｕ／ｋｇ）均明显提高体增重、饲料利用率，在玉米—糠麸—菜、豆粕日粮中加植酸酶的反应受日粮有效磷水平的影响，低磷日粮加植酸酶有较大的应答；②肉鸡生长性能的改善与磷、钙、锌利用增高相关，饲喂添加植酸酶日粮的肉鸡血清磷、胫骨灰分、磷、钙、锌含量提高，植酸磷、总磷、钙的表观利用率增加；③添加植酸酶，玉米—豆粕型日粮对肉鸡增重和饲料效率未见明显改善，而玉米—糠麸—棉、豆粕型日粮对肉鸡生长性能有提高趋势；④含较高植酸磷的肉鸡日粮中添加植酸酶可减少或不添加无机磷酸盐     

耐热植酸酶对肉鸡生产性能、血液及骨骼钙磷含量的影响

选取192羽1日龄艾维茵肉仔鸡,随机分为4组,研究在低磷肉鸡颗粒日粮中分别添加耐热植酸酶(100g/t)和普通植酸酶(200g/t)对肉鸡生产性能及血液和骨骼中相关指标的影响。结果表明:低磷日粮显著降低了肉鸡的生产性能,植酸酶的添加均提高了肉鸡的采食量及日增重,降低了料重比,且耐热植酸酶较普通植酸酶获得了更好的生产性能;低磷日粮降低血清及骨骼中钙、磷含量,提高血清碱性磷酸酶活性,而植酸酶的添加提高了血清及骨骼中钙、磷含量,降低碱性磷酸酶活性。结果提示:耐热植酸酶应用于低磷肉仔鸡颗粒日粮中能提高肉鸡的生产性能和机体对钙、磷的储存。     

低磷低蛋白日粮添加植酸酶与蛋白酶对肉仔鸡生长与屠宰性能的影响

为了研究低磷低蛋白日粮中单独或组合添加植酸酶和蛋白酶对肉仔鸡生长和屠宰性能的影响,试验选择8日龄罗斯308肉鸡168只,随机分为4组,对照组饲喂标准日粮,1组饲喂含植酸酶的低磷日粮,2组饲喂含蛋白酶的低蛋白日粮,3组饲喂含植酸酶和蛋白酶的低磷低蛋白日粮,试验期5周,测定肉鸡生长性能和屠宰指标。结果表明:低磷低蛋白日粮单独或组合添加植酸酶和蛋白酶可使肉鸡的生长性能达到标准日粮的水平,并能降低料重比,提高饲料利用率。除低磷日粮添加植酸酶使肉鸡的腹脂重和腹脂率增加外,其他日粮处理对肉鸡的屠宰率、半净膛率、全净膛率、胸肌率和腿肌率无明显影响。     

不同植酸酶对饲喂低磷日粮肉鸡生长性能及粪N、P排泄的影响

采用306只艾维茵肉鸡研究低磷日粮中添加两种不同植酸酶对肉鸡生产性能、养分利用率及氮、磷排泄的影响。试验共分3个处理组,即对照组、试验Ⅰ组和试验Ⅱ组,每个处理组3个重复,每个重复34只鸡。对照组饲喂正常磷水平的日粮;试验Ⅰ组饲喂低磷＋植酸酶Ⅰ的日粮;试验Ⅱ组饲喂低磷＋植酸酶Ⅱ的日粮。试验结果表明,添加植酸酶替代日粮中部分无机磷,肉鸡的日增重和日采食量与对照组相比降低,但差异不显著（P＞0.05）;提高了肉鸡的存活率（P＜0.05）和钙、磷利用率（P＜0.05）;同时氮利用率有一定程度改善（P＞0.05）,显著减少了氮、磷的排泄量（P＜0.05）。添加植酸酶Ⅰ与添加植酸酶Ⅱ相比,肉鸡的日增重与日采食量提高（P＜0.05）,氮的排泄量显著降低（P＜0.05）,磷的排泄量没有差异。     

玉米-豆粕型日粮中添加高剂量植酸酶对肉鸡养分利用率的影响

本试验研究了玉米-豆粕型日粮中添加高剂量不同水平的植酸酶对0~3和4~6周肉鸡养分利用率的影响。选用1日龄AA肉鸡公雏576只,随机分为6组,每组8个重复,每个重复12只。试验日粮分0~3和4~6周两个阶段,6个处理组:正对照组(前期为总磷0.69%,0.45% NPP;后期为总磷0.59%,0.35% NPP);负对照组(前期总磷0.60%,0.35% NPP;后期为总磷0.49%,0.25% NPP);4个试验组在负对照日粮中分别添加500、2000、8000和32000 FTU/kg 4种植酸酶水平。结果显示:①日粮添加高剂量不同水平的植酸酶显著影响生长前期(17~21日龄)肉鸡的钙、磷的消化利用率(P<0.05),随着植酸酶添加水平增加,钙的消化利用率显著增加(P＜0.05)。②日粮添加高剂量不同水平的植酸酶显著影响38~42日龄肉鸡磷的消化利用率(P＜0.05)。在负对照组日粮中随着植酸酶水平添加的提高,钙的消化利用率呈现先增加后降低的趋势,磷的养分利用率反而显著减少。③日粮添加高剂量不同水平植酸酶显著增加生长前期(17~21日龄)肉鸡的粗蛋白质的消化利用率和表观代谢能(P＜0.05),在生长后期(38~42日龄)对肉鸡的粗蛋白质的消化利用率和表观代谢能提高达到显著水平(P ＜0.05)。因此,高剂量不同水平的植酸酶显著提高肉鸡AME和粗蛋白质、钙、磷的消化利用率,添加高水平植酸酶可以适当调低日粮能量和蛋白质水平,日粮中总磷(tP)水平应低于NRC标准,减少无机磷和钙的添加量,以提高钙、磷在体内的存留量。     

低磷低蛋白日粮添加植酸酶与蛋白酶对肉鸡营养物质利用率的影响

为了研究在低磷低蛋白日粮中单独或组合添加植酸酶和蛋白酶对肉鸡营养物质利用率的影响,试验将168只8日龄罗斯308肉鸡随机分为4组,对照组饲喂标准日粮,1组饲喂含植酸酶的低磷日粮,2组饲喂含蛋白酶的低蛋白日粮,3组饲喂含植酸酶和蛋白酶的低磷低蛋白日粮,于肉鸡19~21,40~42日龄进行代谢试验,测定粪中粗蛋白、钙、磷含量及其表观利用率。结果表明:与对照组比较,低磷日粮添加植酸酶可使肉鸡磷、钙排泄量分别降低26.91%~39.96%和6.93%~23.83%,磷、钙表观利用率分别提高14.34%~49.96%和7.90%~27.60%。低蛋白日粮添加蛋白酶可使肉鸡蛋白质和钙的排泄量降低4.10%~5.16%和1.57%~11.72%,蛋白质和钙表观利用率分别提高5.27%~6.98%和10.54%~22.73%。低磷低蛋白日粮联合添加植酸酶和蛋白酶,肉鸡蛋白质、磷、钙排泄量分别降低1.99%~7.10%、16.50%~38.36%、4.09%~18.81%,蛋白质、磷、钙表观利用率分别提高3.19%~6.98%、17.20%~59.42%、14.07%~30.28%。     

降低污染,提高报酬——家禽最低营养水平的探讨（续完）

建文校通过添加植酸酶来测定蛋用小母鸡钙、磷需求量的研究很少，而添加植酸酶可提高肉鸡的钙、磷利用率（表１）。ＢＡＳＦ的研究报告（ＭｃＫｎｉｇｈｔ，１９９７）认为，添加植酸酶后日粮有效磷水平即使降到０２５％这么低，肉鸡的生产性也能和有效磷水平为０４５...     

含25-羟基维生素D_3日粮中植酸酶对21~42日龄肉鸡生长性能、骨骼矿化和钙磷利用的影响

为研究植酸酶对21~42日龄罗斯308肉鸡生长性能、骨骼矿化和钙磷利用的影响,本试验将120只前期(1~21日龄)采食相同日粮的21日龄罗斯308肉鸡随机分为3组,每组4个重复。设计3种日粮,在基础日粮[0.90%Ca、0.20%非植酸磷(NPP)、25μg/kg 25-羟基维生素D3]中添加3个不同水平植酸酶(0、1000、10000 U/kg)。结果显示:日粮中添加植酸酶可改善21~42日龄肉鸡胫骨和股骨强度,增加胫骨、股骨和跖骨磷含量,提高跖骨灰分和钙含量,增加血浆磷含量,改善总磷利用率,但未改善肉鸡生产性能;基础日粮中添加1000 U/kg和10000 U/kg植酸酶对肉鸡生长影响差异不显著。结果表明:在本试验条件下,含25-羟基维生素D3日粮中添加1000 U/kg植酸酶可改善21~42日龄肉鸡的胫骨、股骨、跖骨的矿化,提高日粮磷利用率及血浆磷水平。     

植酸酶、柠檬酸和碳酸化合物酶对肉鸡生长性能和养分利用率的影响

文章旨在研究低磷、低钙水平日粮添加植酸酶、柠檬酸和碳水化合物酶对1~21 d肉鸡生长性能及养分消化率的影响。试验选择1日龄肉仔鸡576只,随机分为6组,每组4个重复,每个重复24只鸡。试验共分为6种日粮,阳性对照组日粮(正常钙磷水平)、阴性对照日粮(低磷、低钙)、阴性对照日粮+600 IU/kg植酸酶,阴性对照日粮+600 IU/kg植酸酶+5 g/kg柠檬酸,阴性对照日粮+600 IU/kg植酸酶+500 mg/kg复合碳水化合物酶,阴性对照日粮+600 IU/kg植酸酶+5 g/kg柠檬酸+500 mg/kg复合碳水化合物酶。试验共开展21 d。结果显示:阳性对照组肉鸡日增重和采食量显著高于阴性对照组(P<0.05);植酸酶组添加碳水化合物酶较单独添加植酸酶组显著提高了肉鸡的日增重(P<0.05);植酸酶+碳水化合物酶较阴性对照组显著改善了料肉比(P<0.05)。阳性对照组较阴性对照组显著提高肉鸡胫骨灰分含量(P<0.05);植酸酶组显著提高了总磷、有效磷和植酸磷的回肠表观消化率(P<0.05),同时植酸酶组添加柠檬酸或碳水化合物酶进一步提高了总磷和植酸磷的回肠表观消化率(P<0.05)。阴性对照组添加植酸酶显著提高了表观代谢能及干物质、总能、氮和总磷的表观沉积量(P<0.05),而植酸酶组添加碳水化合物酶提高了干物质和总磷表观沉积量(P<0.05)。结论:在本试验条件下,低磷、低钙水平日粮添加植酸酶和碳水化合物酶改善了肉鸡生长性能、提高了营养物质的消化率和沉积量,而植酸酶日粮添加柠檬酸可以改善营养物质消化率和沉积量。     

高植酸酶添加量对肉鸡生长性能的影响

在肉鸡生产中,植酸的负面作用除了植酸磷不被动物利用,还具有抗营养作用,如降低蛋白质和矿物质吸收,增加内源损失从而降低肉鸡生长性能。本研究在并不严重缺乏有效磷的日粮中添加高水平植酸酶,来揭示植酸的抗营养作用。结果发现,与肉鸡饲喂磷水平充足日粮相比,磷水平轻度不足组添加500、1000和1500FTU/kg植酸酶,可以改善肉鸡生长性能。     

Growth, nutrient utilization and parameters of mineral metabolism in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) fed plant-based diets with graded levels of microbial phytase

Diets with graded levels of the experimental microbial phytase SP1002 (0, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 FTU/kg) were fed to juvenile Nile tilapia (average BW = 68.8 g) for 60 days (n = 4). A digestibility trial ran parallel to the growth trial using 0.3 g TiO2/100 g as an indigestible marker. The efficiency of phytase supplementation was evaluated by parameters of growth response, crude protein and mineral utilization (using body composition data), apparent nutrient digestibility, mineral content in scale and vertebra and inorganic phosphorus in blood plasma. Data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey-test using SAS-program. Significant improvements (p < 0.01) were found for growth, FCR and SGR, mainly for diets with 1000 and 2000 FTU/kg phytase supplementation. Protein utilization was significantly increased and maximized between 1000 and 2000 FTU/kg. Phosphorus utilization increased significantly up to 4000 FTU/kg. Digestibility of protein and phosphorus was also significantly improved. Phosphorus concentration in the blood, vertebra and scale increased significantly after phytase addition. Similarly, calcium and magnesium concentration in vertebra and scale were increased. Generally, phytase supplementation between 1000 and 2000 FTU/kg resulted in growth rates and mineralization parameters similar to a control diet with inorganic phosphorus.     

Effects of Source of Inorganic Phosphorus and Phytase Supplementation on Performance, Physiological Parameters and Bone Mineralization in Broilers

The objective of this study was to eval- uate the effects of inorganic phosphorus source and phytase addition on performance, nutrient digestibility and bone mineralization in broiler chickens. In Exp. 1,150 two-day old, male broiler chicks were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet supplemented with phos- phorus provided by dicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate or defluorinated rock phosphate. Five cages containing 10 birds were allotted to each of the three treatments. In Exp. 2,120 three-day old, male broiler chicks were fed the basal diet from Exp. 1 supplemen- ted with 0,250,500 ,or 1,000 P-＇rU phytase per kg of diet. Six cages containing five chicks were allotted to each of the four treatments. In Exp. 1, there was no difference in weight gain, feed intake or feed conver- sion as a result of feeding the different sources of in- organic phosphorus. The digestibility of phosphorus was significantly lower （P =0.01 ） for chicks fed di- ets supplemented with tricalcium phosphate than for chicks fed the other two diets. However, despite the lower digestibility, serum phosphorus levels did not differ among the three treatments. For Exp. 2, feedconversion showed a linear improvement （P = 0.03 ） with increasing levels of phytase inclusion （ days 0 to 33 ）. Phytase supplementation resulted in linear increa- ses in the digestibility of dry matter （P = 0.02 ）, crude protein （ P --- 0.04 ） and energy （ P 〈 0.01 ）. Chicks fed 1,000 FTU/kg phytase had significantly higher bone calcium （ P = 0.05 ） and bone breaking strength （P = 0.04 ） than chicks fed the basal diet on day 33. In conclusion, the results of the current study indicated that the performance of birds fed diets sup- plemented with dicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phos- phate or defluorinated phosphate was similar and therefore production costs could be lowered by choo- sing the cheapest inorganic phosphorus source when formulating diets for poultry. When diets were formu- lated to meet dietary phosphorus requirements, the growth of broilers was not enhanced with phytase sup- plementation. However, increases in feed conversion and bone breaking strength and its potential to impact culling and mortality in broiler operations may be suf- ficient justification for the routine inclusion of phytase in diets fed to broilers.     

Effects of Source of Inorganic Phosphorus and Phytase Supplementation on Performance, Physiological Parameters and Bone Mineralization in Broilers

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of inorganic phosphorus source and phytase addition on performance, nutrient digestibility and bone mineralization in broiler chickens. In Exp. 1, 150 two-day old, male broiler chicks were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet supplemented with phosphorus provided by dicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate or defluorinated rock phosphate. Five cages containing 10 birds were allotted to each of the three treatments. In Exp. 2, 120 three-day old, male broiler chicks were fed the basal diet from Exp. 1 supplemented with 0, 250, 500, or 1,000 FTU phytase per kg of diet. Six cages containing five chicks were allotted to each of the four treatments. In Exp. 1, there was no difference in weight gain, feed intake or feed conversion as a result of feeding the different sources of inorganic phosphorus. The digestibility of phosphorus was significantly lower (P = 0.01) for chicks fed diets supplemented with tricalcium phosphate than for chicks fed the other two diets.  However, despite the lower digestibility, serum phosphorus levels did not differ among the three treatments. For Exp. 2, feed conversion showed a linear improvement (P = 0.03) with increasing levels of phytase inclusion (days 0 to 33).  Phytase supplementation resulted in linear increases in the digestibility of dry matter (P = 0.02), crude protein (P = 0.04) and energy (P < 0.01).  Chicks fed 1,000 FTU/kg phytase had significantly higher bone calcium (P = 0.05) and bone breaking strength (P = 0.04) than chicks fed the basal diet on day 33. In conclusion, the results of the current study indicated that the performance of birds fed diets supplemented with dicalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate or defluorinated phosphate was similar and therefore production costs could be lowered by choosing the cheapest inorganic phosphorus source when formulating diets for poultry. When diets were formulated to meet dietary phosphorus requirements, the growth of broilers was not enhanced with phytase supplementation.  However, increases in feed conversion and bone breaking strength and its potential to impact culling and mortality in broiler operations may be sufficient justification for the routine inclusion of phytase in diets fed to broilers.     

Effect of microbial phytase on production performance of White Leghorn layers fed on a diet low in non-phytate phosphorus

1. An experiment with 150 White Leghorn layers was conducted to examine the effect of microbial phytase supplementation of low non-phytate phosphorus (NPP) diets on egg production, eggshell quality, bone mineralisation and retention of nutrients at 32-48 weeks of age. 2. Four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated to contain 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 and 3.0 g NPP/kg diet with the two lowest NPP (1.2 and 1.8) supplemented with microbial phytase (Biofeed Phytase, India) at 500 FTU per kg diet. Each diet was offered ad libitum to 5 replicates of 5 layers throughout the experiment. 3. Body weight gain was reduced significantly in the layers fed on the 1.2 g/kg NPP diet as compared to those given diets containing 1.8-3.0 g/kg. Addition of phytase to the 1.2 g/kg diet significantly enhanced the body weight and was comparable with those given diets containing 1.8-3.0 g/kg NPP. 4. No additional advantage resulted from enhancing the NPP levels beyond 1.8 g/kg or adding phytase to a diet containing 1.8 g/kg NPP. 5. Hen d egg production, food intake, food efficiency, shell weight, shell thickness, shell strength and tibia strength followed the same trends as above. However, adding phytase to the 1.8 g/kg NPP diet significantly enhanced tibia ash. Egg weight, specific gravity and Haugh units were influenced by neither NPP concentration nor phytase supplementation. 6. Adding phytase to the 1.2 g/kg NPP diet significantly enhanced nitrogen and phosphorus retention. 7. It was concluded that addition of 500 FTU of microbial phytase/kg diet can allow the reduction of NPP content to 1.2g/kg in the layer diet, eliminate inorganic phosphorus supplementation and results in significant reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus excretion without affecting the production performance of layers.     

Effects of different dietary phytase activities on the concentration of antioxidants in the liver of growing broilers

One‐hundred and fifty male chickens were used to evaluate the effects of different activities (0, 250, 500, 12 500 FTU/kg) of phytase on their performance and antioxidant concentration in the liver. The chicks were housed in 30 cages and were allocated to six replicates of five dietary treatments. All diets were formulated to be adequate in energy and protein (12.90 MJ/kg metabolizable energy, 214 g/kg crude protein), however, the negative control (NC) was lower in available P compared with the positive control (PC) (2.5 vs. 4.5 g/kg diet). The other three diets were the NC supplemented with phytase at 250, 500 and 12 500 FTU/kg (NC + 250, NC + 500 and NC + 12 500 FTU respectively). The concentration of antioxidants in the liver of the birds was determined using HPLC at 21 days of age. Low P diets (NC) reduced weight gain, however, supplementation with phytase improved weight gain to the extent that it was better than the PC at the 12 500 FTU treatment (p < 0.05). Feed conversion ratio was also improved by the high level of phytase supplement more than other treatments (p < 0.05). Feed consumption was not affected either by dietary phosphorus concentration or by different phytase supplementation. The antioxidant data showed that the unsupplemented diet with low phosphorus (NC) decreased the concentration of coenzyme Q₁₀ and retinol‐linoleate in the liver compared with that of birds on the adequate phosphorus treatment (PC). Phytase supplementation, especially at the higher doses (500 and 12 500 FTU) increased the level of coenzyme Q₁₀ to the same level as the PC treatment. In addition, the highest dose (12 500 FTU) of phytase increased retinol concentration in the liver of chickens compared with those on the NC treatment. The highest inclusion level of phytase increased the α‐tocopherol level in the liver compared with the lower levels of phytase (NC + 250 and NC + 500 FTU).     

Effects of an experimental phytase on performance, egg quality, tibia ash content and phosphorus bioavailability in laying hens fed on maize- or barley-based diets

A 24-week performance trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of an experimental phytase on performance, egg quality, tibia ash content and phosphorus excretion in laying hens fed on either a maize- or a barley-based diet. At the end of the trial, an ileal absorption assay was conducted in order to determine the influence of phytase supplementation on the apparent absorption of calcium and total phosphorus (P). Each experimental diet was formulated either as a positive control containing 3.2 g/kg non-phytate phosphorus (NPP), with the addition of dicalcium phosphate (DCP), or as a low P one, without DCP addition. Both low P diets (containing 1.3 or 1.1 g/kg NPP) were supplemented with microbial phytase at 0, 150, 300 and 450 U/kg. The birds were housed in cages, allocating two hens per cage as the experimental unit. Each of 10 dietary treatments was assigned to 16 replicates. Low dietary NPP (below 1.3 g/kg) was not able to support optimum performance of hens during the laying cycle (from 22 to 46 weeks of age), either in maize or barley diets. Rate of lay, daily egg mass output, feed consumption, tibia ash percentage and weight gain were reduced in hens fed low NPP diets. The adverse effects of a low P diet were more severe in hens on a maize diet than in those on a barley diet. Low dietary NPP reduced egg production, weight gain, feed consumption and tibia ash content and microbial phytase supplementation improved these parameters. Hens given low NPP diets supplemented with phytase performed as well as the hens on positive control diets containing 3.2 g/kg of NPP. A 49% reduction of excreta P content was achieved by feeding hens on low NPP diets supplemented with phytase, without compromising performance. Phytase addition to low NPP diets increased total phosphorus absorption at the ileal level, from 0.25 to 0.51 in the maize diet and from 0.34 to 0.58 in the barley diet. Phosphorus absorption increased linearly with increasing levels of dietary phytase. Mean phosphorus absorption was higher in barley diets than in maize diets (0.49 vs 0.39).     

Effect of increasing supplemental phytase concentration in diets fed to Hubbard × Cobb 500 male broilers from 1 to 42 days of age

Phytase supplementation beyond the standard doses used for phosphorus release has been reported to result in extraphosphoric effects by enhancing nutrient digestibility resulting in improved performance of broilers. A study was conducted to examine the effects of the progressive addition of an enhancedEscherichia Coli phytase (400–1,600 phytase units; FTU) on growth performance and carcass characteristics from 1 to 42 d of age in male broilers. One thousand four hundred Hubbard × Cobb 500 1-d-old chicks were randomly distributed into 56 floor pens (0.08 m²/bird). Seven dietary treatments were provided in a 3-phase feeding program consisting of (1) a positive control (adequate Ca and nonphytate P; PC); (2) 1 negative control (Ca and nonphytate P reduced by 0.14% and 0.13%; NC); (3 to 6) the NC diet with 4 increasing supplemental phytase concentrations (NC + 400 FTU, NC + 800 FTU, NC + 1,200 FTU, and NC + 1,600 FTU, respectively); and (7) a low-energy NC diet without phytase and xylanase (reduced 66 kcal of AME_n/kg). Body weight gain, feed conversion, mortality, weight and yield of whole carcass, abdominal fat, and pectoralis major and minor muscles were evaluated. Progressive supplementation of phytase decreased cumulative FCR linearly. Broilers fed diets containing 1,600 FTU had heavier total breast meat by 49 g compared with birds receiving the PC diets. Broilers consuming the NC + 400 FTU or the low-energy NC diet had similar growth performance and meat yield compared with birds provided PC diet. These data indicated that phytase supplementation beyond the need for phosphorus enhances growth performance and carcass characteristics.     

Impacts of calcium and phosphorus concentration,their ratio,and phytase supplementation level on growth performance,foot pad lesions,and hock burn of broiler chickens

Concerns about the environment, nutrition, and farm profits all point to the increasing importance of the phosphorus (P) content of a diet. Animals must now be fed near their P requirements. However, it is very difficult to know the exact P requirements of broilers. The objective of this study was to provide efficacy data of a 6-phytase for use in broilers at different Ca levels and Ca/P ratios. Broilers were randomly assigned to 6 treatments, each with 6 replicates. The treatments comprised diets differing in Ca and P level: 1) normal Ca and total normal phosphorus (Pt) level, 2) normal Ca and low Pt level, 3) low Ca and Pt level, and differing in phytase level (no, normal or high phytase supplementation). During the entire study, lowest BW was obtained when broilers were given the imbalanced (normal Ca and low Pt level) diet with low phytase supplementation. Among the balanced dietary treatments no significant effects on performance were observed. A higher Ca/Pt ratio decreased feed intake, whereas addition of phytase increased feed intake. For the starter period, the most favorable feed conversion was obtained when broilers were fed the imbalanced diet with a high dosage of phytase or the low Ca, low Pt diet supplemented with phytase. For the grower and finisher period, broilers with the highest weight gain had the highest feed intake resulting in comparable feed conversions between treatments. Litter quality was not affected by dietary treatments but prevalence of foot pad lesions and hock burn was significantly influenced by treatments. The highest percentage of both was seen when broilers were given the imbalanced diets. The overall results of this study emphasises the relevance of the Ca/P ratio in modern broiler feeding and P studies. It can be concluded from this study that dietary Ca and P concentrations can be reduced by 20% if done in a balanced way. If done in combination with phytase supplementation, performance results improve even more.     

Phosphorus equivalency of a Citrobracter braakii phytase in broilers

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of phytase supplementation on growth performance, phosphorus availability, and bone mineralization in broilers. Three hundred fifty Cobb × Cobb 500 slow-feathering male broilers were placed in steel battery cages into 7 treatments with 10 replications of 5 chicks each. The treatments were: a positive control (PC) diet [0.42% nonphytate phosphorus (nPP)], 4 diets containing increases in nPP from dicalcium phosphate (0.14, 0.20, 0.26, and 0.32%), and 2 phytase supplemental levels [500 and 1,000 phytase units ( FYT)/kg] on the diet having 0.14% nPP. All diets contained 0.8% calcium. Growth performance and bone data were regressed against the 4 diets having increased nPP. The equations generated were replaced by the corresponding performance obtained with 2 phytase levels to estimate their nPP bioequivalence. An overall reduction in performance and bone mineralization was observed associated with a reduction in nPP. Linear fits provided the best adjustments for all responses with the exceptions of BW gain (BWG) and feed intake (FI). Adding phytase to the 0.14% nPP diet improved growth performance and bone mineralization (P < 0.001). Average bioequivalence nPP for each phytase level was dependent on the evaluated response with lowest and highest values at 500 FYT supplementation of 0.077 and 0.145 for toe P and femur Ca, respectively, whereas lowest and highest values at 1,000 FYT of 0.143 and 0.194 for BWG and toe ash. Averaging all values for 500 and 1,000 FYT provided estimations of 0.100 and 0.166 nPP, respectively.