Walker, H., Bauer, K., Cvejić, D., Keegan, J.D., Taylor-Pickard, J., & Moran, C.A. (2024). Phytase and Xylanase Supplementation Improves Phosphorus Digestibility in Laying Hens. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.1236.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Walker, H., Jules Taylor-Pickard and Colm A. Moran. 2024 "Phytase and Xylanase Supplementation Improves Phosphorus Digestibility in Laying Hens" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.1236.v1
Abstract
Phosphorus is required by laying hens for a variety of biological functions. It is usually provided in excess, in a readily digestible inorganic form in diet formulations. However, this does not represent an efficient use of a finite resource and can result in water pollution. Plant bound phosphorus in phytate, is common in commercial poultry diets, and represents an alternate source of phosphorus, however poultry lacks the enzyme to digest it. By adding enzymes to their diets, the availability of this phytate-bound phosphorus can be increased allowing for the reduced inclusion of inorganic P in the diet formulation. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the effect of a natural enzyme complex that contains phytase and xylanase in layer diets. Novogen Brown Classic layers (n=314) were fed one of two diets: (T1) control diet or (T2) control diet plus a natural mixed-enzyme product with both, phytase and xylanase. Experimental diets were provided for 12 days after which the excreta from each pen were collected for an additional three days to determine total retention and ileal digestibility of phosphorus and gross energy. At the end of the trial the birds were euthanized, and their ileal contents were collected. Productivity parameters were also recorded over the course of the study. The amount of phosphorus detected in the excreta of the control group was significantly higher than the amount detected in the enzyme-supplemented group (P<0.05). Both phosphorus retention and phosphorus ileal digestibility were significantly higher in the enzyme-supplemented birds (P<0.001). Gross energy digestibility was significantly higher in the enzyme-supplemented birds for both the total tract and ileal samples (P<0.001). There were only numerical improvements, not significant, in the layer productivity parameters. This study showed that the enzyme supplement can improve total retention and ileal digestibility of phosphorus and gross energy in older layers.
Biology and Life Sciences, Animal Science, Veterinary Science and Zoology
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