Possible involvement of myo-inositol in the physiological response of broilers to high doses of microbial phytase

The effect of high (1000–3000 phytase units (FYT)/kg) doses of microbial phytase on performance, nutrient digestibility and plasma inositol concentrations in young Ross broiler chicks was investigated in two separate experiments. In both experiments pelleted corn/soy-based diets were used and experimental duration was from Days 8 to 21 and Days 15 to 28 in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Treatments in Experiment 1 were arranged as a 2 × 4 + 1 factorial with two concentrations of calcium and available phosphorus and four concentrations of phytase (0, 1000, 2000 or 3000 FYT/kg), with a reference diet containing additional phosphorus and calcium from inorganic sources. In Experiment 2 only four dietary treatments were used, being a nutritionally adequate positive control, a negative control formulated to be insufficient in calcium and available phosphorus and the negative control supplemented with either 1000 or 2000 FYT/kg exogenous phytase. In both experiments, phytase improved performance relative to the appropriate control diet and increased the retention of calcium and phosphorus (P < 0.001). Tibia strength and ash content were increased (P < 0.001) by phytase addition. Plasma inositol concentrations were substantially increased (P < 0.001) by phytase addition to the diet. As inositol has been found to be an insulin mimetic in a range of animal species, these results suggest that part of the beneficial effect of high doses of phytase in broiler production may be conferred via insulin-like mechanisms. The effect of phytase on the expression of insulin-sensitive glucose transport systems, gluconeogenesis and nitrogen cycling is an area for future research. It can be concluded that phytase is effective in improving performance of broiler chicks fed diets that are sufficient and insufficient in calcium and phosphorus. Furthermore, phytase addition results in increased plasma inositol concentrations that may be beneficial in nutrient transport and protein deposition.