Impact of Trace Mineral Source and Phytase Supplementation on Prececal Phytate Degradation and Mineral Digestibility, Bone Mineralization, and Tissue Gene Expression in Broiler Chickens.

The objective of this study was to determine how different sources of Zn, Mn, and Cu in the feed without and with phytase affect prececal myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (InsP₆) breakdown to myo-inositol (MI), prececal P digestibility, bone mineralization, and expression of mineral transporters in the jejunum of broiler chickens. A total of 896 male broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were distributed to 7 diets with 8 replicate pens (16 birds per floor pen). Experimental diets were fed from day 0 to 28. Diets were without or with phytase supplementation (0 or 750 FTU/kg) and were supplemented with three different trace mineral sources (TMS: sulfates, oxides, or chelates) containing 100 mg/kg Zn, 100 mg/kg Mn, and 125 mg/kg Cu. Prececal InsP₆ disappearance and P digestibility were affected by interaction (phytase × TMS: P ≤ 0.010). In diets without phytase supplementation, prececal InsP₆ disappearance and P digestibility were greater (P ≤ 0.001) in birds fed chelated minerals than in birds fed sulfates or oxides. However, no differences were observed between TMS in diets with phytase supplementation. Ileal MI concentration was increased by exogenous phytase but differed depending on TMS (phytase × TMS: P ≤ 0.050). Tibia ash concentration as well as Zn and Mn concentration in tibia ash were increased by phytase supplementation (P < 0.010), but the Cu concentration in tibia ash was not (P > 0.050). Gene expression of the assayed mineral transporters in the jejunum was not affected by diet (P > 0.050), except for Zn transporter 5 (phytase × TMS: P = 0.024). In conclusion, the tested TMS had minor effects on endogenous phytate degradation in the digestive tract of broiler chickens. However, in phytase-supplemented diets, the choice of TMS was not relevant to phytate degradation under the conditions of this study.