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Phytase and non-starch polysaccharide-degrading enzymes (NSPases), such as β-glucanase, xylanase, and β-mannanase, have been used to enhance the growth performance of pigs by optimizing nutrient utilization. Nevertheless, the impact of using phytase and NSPase in diets based on corn and soybean meal in pigs is still not well understood.
Methods: This study investigated the effects of supplementing phytase and NSPase to corn-soybean meal-based diet on the growth performance, trace element deposition, and intestinal health of growing-finishing pigs. For that aim, fifty pigs were randomly assigned into the control (basal diet: BD), phytase (BD + 100 g/t of phytase), β-mannanase (BD + 40 g/t of β-mannanase), β-glucanase (BD + 100 g/t of β-glucanase), and xylanase (BD + 100 g/t of xylanase) groups.
Results: The supplementation of phytase and NSPases had no impacts on the growth performance of pigs. Compared with the control group, pigs fed with xylanase had higher Zn concentrations in the ileum and muscle and those fed with phytase had higher Zn concentrations in the ileum. In addition, phytase, β-mannanase, β-glucanase, and xylanase supplementation up-regulated the FPN1 expression, whereas xylanase up-regulated the Znt1 expression in the duodenum of pigs compared with the control group. Moreover, phytase, β-glucanase, and xylanase supplementation up-regulated the jejunal Znt1 expression compared with the control group. The intestinal morphology results show that the phytase, β-mannanase, and xylanase groups had increased villus heights, an increased villus height–crypt depth ratio, and decreased crypt depths in the duodenum, whereas phytase, β-mannanase, β-glucanase, and xylanase groups had decreased villus heights and villus heights : crypt depths, and increased crypt depths in the jejunum compared with the control group. The dietary supplementation of NSPases increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes and decreased Spirochaetes. Compared with the control group, dietary NSPase treatment decreased the opportunistic pathogens, such as Treponema_2 and Eubacterium_ruminantium.
Conclusion: Phytase and xylanase supplementation may promote zinc deposition in pigs. Additionally, the supplementation of NSPases may improve the gut health of pigs by modulating the intestinal morphology and microbiota.
Liu F, Li J, Ni H, Azad MAK, Mo K, Yin Y. The Effects of Phytase and Non-Starch Polysaccharide-Hydrolyzing Enzymes on Trace Element Deposition, Intestinal Morphology, and Cecal Microbiota of Growing–Finishing Pigs. Animals. 2023; 13(4): 549. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040549