123 Superdosing Phytase Fed During Transition Phase in Sows Increased Piglet Weight Gain

Abstract

Abstract Farrowing and lactation periods require a high demand for nutrients. Superdose (≥1500 FTU/kg) of phytase may increase the nutritive value of diets and improve litter performance. The objective of this study was to determine whether the superdosing of phytase (Quantum Blue; AB Vista) in the peripartum diet affects sow and piglet productivity and serum biomarkers (urea, cortisol, and calcium). A total of 54 sows, Topigs TN70 (27 control group, 27 superdosing group) were blocked by parity and randomly assigned to the treatments. The control lactation diet was a mixed-cereal and soybean meal-based, formulated to meet sow’s requirement with 500 FTU/kg phytase inclusion. The superdosing diet, was supplemented with a further 2,000 FTU/kg phytase to give a total of 2,500 FTU/kg. Peripartum treatment diets were provided from 10 d before farrowing until 10 d after, after which a common standard lactation was fed. Piglets were weaned at 26 d of age. Data were analyzed with ANOVA evaluating the effects of phytase dose and parity using the fit model platform in JMP15.1. Significant treatment means were separated using Student’s t-tests, with significance accepted at P ≤ 0.05. Birth weights of piglets were significantly affected by parity, with piglets born from parity 1 or 4+ sows being around 180g lighter in weight (P < 0.01) than piglets born from parity 2 or 3. The superdosing treatment increased piglet weight at weaning by 490g/weaned piglet (P < 0.01). Cortisol levels were greater (3.7 vs. 1.3 µg/dl, P < 0.01) at farrowing compared with 10d post-farrowing. Urea concentrations were 37% higher in the superdosing treatment at farrowing compared with control (P = 0.02). It can be concluded that the use of phytase at superdosing levels can be used in peripartum diets to improve piglet weight gain during lactation which is linked with greater utilization of nutrients that has been associated with greater phytate breakdown.