Keywords
Bone quality
Bone breaking strength
Phytase superdosing.
How to Cite
Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of phytase supplementation on bone quality in broiler chickens fed corn-, soybean meal-, and soybean oil-based diets deficient in phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and sodium (Na). A total of 1,548 male broiler chicks were assigned to a completely randomized design comprising four dietary treatments, nine replicates per treatment, and 43 birds per replicate. Treatments consisted of a positive control (PC) formulated to meet recommended nutrient requirements, a negative control (NC) diet with reductions of 0.15% phosphorus, 0.16% calcium, and 0.03% sodium, and the NC diet supplemented with either 500 or 10000 FTU kg-1 phytase. Phytase supplementation significantly improved (p < 0.05) tibial bone mineral density at 21 and 47 days compared with the unsupplemented NC diet. At 21 days, broilers fed the NC diet exhibited the lowest (p < 0.05) bone-to-cartilage ratio. Phytase supplementation also increased (p<0.05) bone breaking strength throughout the experimental period, restoring values comparable to those observed in birds fed the nutritionally adequate diet. Supplementation with 10000 FTU kg-1 phytase reduced femoral bone elasticity at 21 and 47 days while increasing femur length at 7 and 21 days relative to the NC treatment. Overall, phytase supplementation effectively restored bone development in broilers fed diets deficient in P, Ca, and Na.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Rovaldo Scariot, Fernanda Sponchiado Hein, Mirele Kasiane Martins, Sara Dal Pozzo Callegaro, Julia Bettega, Camille Maróstica, André Luiz Falkowski, Regina Buzim, Jovanir Inês Müller Fernandes