Effect of Phytases in Pig Diets on Production Performance: Meta-analysis

Abstract

Feeding is one of the most critical items in pig production. Phosphorus, protein, and energy sources represent the most expensive ingredients in the feed. Phytases are enzymes used for many years to take advantage of plant phosphorus and reduce costs. Despite  many studies with various methodologies and results, they have not been thoroughly systematized. Therefore, this research aims to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of phytases on performance in pigs. Effect size, heterogeneity, meta-regressions, and publication bias were determined. Phytase-supplemented pigs gained 25.17 g (p < 0.05) more daily weight than controls. Piglets can gain up to 39.89 g (p < 0.05). The pigs ingested a greater amount of feed, 23.44 and 28.61 g (p < 0.05), per day than the control in the general analysis and piglets, respectively. Crude protein, metabolizable energy, total calcium and phosphorus, duration, and level of phytases in the diet affected performance (p < 0.05). No publication bias was found. Including phytases favors weight gain and feed intake in general pigs and piglets but not in growing-finishing pigs. The effect of other nutrients and the duration and level (dose) of phytases must be considered at the time of formulation.