The effect of supplemental fungal phytase on the performances and bone characteristic of piglets

The 31 day long trial included 24 Yorkshire piglets divided into three grou ps. Before weaning, the piglets were given the experimental diets in a 7-da y adjustment period. During this period as well as for 22 days following, t he piglets were fed on diets containing 22% CP and then diets containing 20 % GP for the remaining 19 days. The desired level of phosphorus in the diet for the control group and experimental group III was achieved by the addit ion of dicalcium phosphate, while the diet for group ll was without added d icalcium phosphate. In addition the, diets for groups Il and III were enric hed with crude phytase (produced by growing an isolate of Aspergillus awamo ri) in an amount sufficient to provide 800 FU/kg. Performance and state of health were monitored during the trial and at the end the piglets were kill ed for collection of bone samples. Growth performance was improved by adding microbial phytase. Ash and calciu m content in the tibia showed no statistical differences between the groups , while content of phosphorus was significantly increased in both groups fe d added phytase in the diet The length and width of the tibia and the inten sity of its shadow indicated normal physiological processes in bone formati on and ossification. The best ossification was obtained in the first experi mental group, based on almost invisible nutrition channels inside the thick shadow of compacta, as well as the homogenous appearance of tibiae spongio sa in the mid diaphysis area.