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Abstract
Phytase, 1-alpha hydroxycholecalciferol, Ca level, and organic acids have been shown to influence phytate P utilization by broiler chick. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the interactions between the phytase, 1-alpha hydroxycholecalciferol, and Ca level. Two other experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of various organic acids on phytate P utilization. Phytase improved phytate P utilization in broiler chicks, but the magnitude of the effect was influenced by the level of 1-alpha hydrohycholecalciferol and Ca. The effect of 1-alpha hydroxycholecalciferol was influenced by Ca level in the diet. Its effect was more prominent when the levels of phytase in the diet were low and there was little hydrolysis of phytate due to phytase. Increasing Ca level decreased phytate P utilization by broiler chicks. Some of the organic acids studied, citric, malic, and 2-hydroxy-4methylthio butanoic acid increased phytate P utilization, while fumaric and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) did not.