PSXVI-6 Supplemental effects of phytase on bone parameters, intestinal health, nutrient digestibility and growth performance on broiler chickens

Abstract

Abstract This study aimed to determine supplemental effects of phytase (VTR BIO-TECH, China) on bone parameters, jejunal mucosa-associated microbiota, intestinal morphology, nutrient digestibility, and growth performance of broiler chickens (Ross 308). Newly hatched broiler chickens (360, 44 ± 6 g BW) were randomly allotted in 6 treatments with 10 birds per cage based on CRD and fed for 27 d. Dietary treatments were the supplementation levels of phytase providing (0; 500; 1,000; 2,000; 4,000 FTU/kg feed) and 0.15% less Ca and 0.15% less P than the recommended requirements by ROSS 2019. Titanium dioxide (0.4%) was added to the diets as an indigestible marker to measure AID. On d 27, 3 birds were randomly selected from each cage and euthanized to collect jejunal mucosa and tissue to measure microbiota diversity and morphology, ileal digesta to measure AID, and left tibia to measure bone parameters. Data were analyzed using SAS. Phytase supplementation tended to increase overall ADG (P = 0.078; 39.7 to 42.2 g/d), whereas without affecting the overall ADFI and G:F. Phytase supplementation reduced (P < 0.05) Pelomonas (10.01 to 2.64%) and tended to reduce Helicobacter (P = 0.085; 10.67 to 0.88%); Pseudomonas (P = 0.090; 2.02 to 0.31%); Sphingomonas (P = 0.071; 1.03 to 0.19%). Phytase supplementation increased (P < 0.05) villus height (884 to 989 µm); the AID of CP (65.4 to 70.6%) and P (36.3 to 43.7%). Increasing phytase supplementation from 0 to 1,296 FTU/kg increased (P < 0.05) breaking strength (184 to 213 N) and P content in the tibia (9.5 to 10.0%). In conclusion, phytase supplementation up to 4,000 FTU/kg feed showed benefits on intestinal health by reducing harmful bacteria in the jejunal mucosa, enhancing intestinal morphology and by increasing the AID of nutrients; and on the bone parameters by increasing the breaking strength and P content.