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Evaluating the Effects of Strategic Use of High Phytase Levels on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Late-Finishing Pigs Exposed to Limited Floor Space

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of high doses of phytase on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and serum chemistry of late-finishing pigs housed under space-restricted conditions. Pigs (n = 375; 94.63 ± 0.61 kg) were randomly assigned to 48 pens, with 7 to 8 pigs per pen, balanced for gilts and barrows. Two phytase doses (control of 2500 FTU/kg or hyper-dose of 5000 FTU/kg) and two space allocation dimensions (adequate with 0.85 m2/pig or restricted with 0.66 m2/pig) were combined to create a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (12 replicates per treatment). The three heaviest pigs per pen were marketed on day 28, and the remaining pigs were marketed on day 42. No interactions (p > 0.10) were observed between the floor space allowance and phytase supplementation. The body weight, daily gain, and feed intake at the first marketing and for all pigs marketed were reduced (p ≤ 0.009) by space restriction, without affecting the gain-to-feed ratio. Space restriction increased serum protein and decreased urea N, and hyper-dosing phytase increased plasma inositol and serum glucose and decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase (p < 0.05). The results indicate that space restriction reduced the growth rate, feed intake, and body weight of late-finishing pigs, and that hyper-dosing phytase was not beneficial in improving growth performance regardless of space allowance.

Source: Animals

DOI: 10.3390/ani15223280

Authors: Izadora Batista Kuneff, Pete Wilcock, Eric van Heugten

Institutions: North Carolina State University, AB Vista (United Kingdom)

Language: English

Topic: Phytase and its Applications

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896