Effects of graded levels of phytase supplementation on growth performance, serum biochemistry, tibia mineralization, and nutrient utilization in Pekin ducks

• Main Authors: Y.F. Liu, K.Y. Zhang, Y. Zhang, S.P. Bai, X.M. Ding, J.P. Wang, H.W. Peng, Y. Xuan, Z.W. Su, Q.F. Zeng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2020-10-01
• Series: Poultry Science
• Subjects: excreta mineral content; low nonphytate phosphorus diet; Pekin ducks; phytase
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579120304120

A total of 560 one-day-old Pekin ducks were randomly allocated to 7 treatments with 8 replicate cages of 10 ducks per cage. The treatments included a corn–rice bran–soybean meal–based diet with recommended nonphytate phosphorus (NPP) (0.40% for 1–14 D/0.35% for 15–35 D, positive control; PC), NPP-deficient diet (0.22% for 1–14 D/0.18% for 15–35 D, negative control; NC), and NC diets supplemented with different levels of phytase (500, 2,500, 5,000, 7,500, 10,000 FTU/kg). Compared with the PC diet, feeding the NC diet significantly decreased (P < 0.05) the bird growth performance, serum total protein, and albumin concentration as well as tibia bone mineralization and strength and increased (P < 0.05) serum calcium (Ca), urea content, and alkaline phosphatase activity throughout the experimental period. Phytase supplementation to NC diets at 5,000 to 10,000 FTU/kg restored (P < 0.05) growth performance, serum biochemical parameters, and tibia traits when compared with the levels of the PC. Moreover, the addition of phytase linearly increased (P < 0.05) dietary protein, Ca, and phosphorus (P) utilization as well as nitrogen output, and excreta iron, copper, manganese, and zinc concentration quadratically increased (P < 0.05) as well as P output. In conclusion, phytase at ≥5,000 FTU/kg was effective in ameliorating the negative effects of NC diets and reducing trace mineral supplementation in diet of Pekin ducks.