The impact of phytase feed supplementation on serum parameters, carcass characteristics and tissue mineral composition in female turkeys.

The sample included 120 BUT9 turkey females allocated into 4 groups. They were fed on balanced mixtures (group I - control) with the addition of phytase amounting to 750 FTU/kg (groups II and IV) or/and with a 10% addition of wheat bran (groups III and IV). At 16 weeks of age birds were slaughtered and a simplified dissection of their carcasses was conducted. In addition, samples of blood and intestinal content were collected. The mineral composition of breast muscle, liver tissue and intestines was determined. The interaction between microbial and plant phytase contained in bran resulted in a significantly smaller body weight and smaller proportion of breast muscle in the carcass. No influence of the nutritional treatments on haematological parameters was observed. However, their combination resulted in a reduction of total cholesterol, urea acid, Ca, P and Fe in blood serum. Both additives combined were observed to reduce the content of copper and iron (in breast muscle) as well as potassium and magnesium (in breast muscle and liver). Microbial phytase reduced excretion of phosphorus thereby reducing the negative impact of poultry production upon the natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]