Some physicochemical bone parameters of sows fed microbial phytase-supplemented diet

Area of Science:

• Animal Nutrition
• Bone Physiology
• Mineral Metabolism

Background:

• Sow diets require adequate mineral content for optimal bone health.
• Inorganic phosphorus is often supplemented, but microbial phytase offers an alternative.
• Formic acid can enhance nutrient digestibility and absorption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of microbial phytase and formic acid supplementation on sow bone mineral content.
• To assess the effects on bone mineralization and geometric parameters.
• To evaluate the efficacy of phytase and formic acid in diets lacking inorganic phosphorus.

Main Methods:

• Seventy-five sows were divided into three groups: positive control (standard diet), negative control (no inorganic phosphorus), and treatment (no inorganic phosphorus, supplemented with microbial phytase and formic acid).
• Bone samples (femur and humerus) were collected from slaughtered sows post-weaning.
• Analysis included dry matter, crude ash, mineral content (P, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe), bone mineralization degree, and geometric parameters.

Main Results:

• Combined microbial phytase and formic acid supplementation significantly increased manganese and zinc in femoral bone.
• Humeral bone showed significantly higher levels of phosphorus, calcium, zinc, and iron.
• Trabecular bone mineral density and bone volume were significantly higher in the supplemented group.

Conclusions:

• Microbial phytase combined with formic acid effectively improves mineral content and bone quality in sows, even without inorganic phosphorus supplementation.
• This supplementation strategy positively influences bone mineralization and geometric properties, indicating enhanced skeletal integrity.
• The findings support the use of microbial phytase and formic acid as beneficial feed additives for swine nutrition.