Effect of feed supplementation with phytase and formic acid on piglet performance and the composition of sow colostrum and milk

The purpose of this experiment was to assess the effect of microbial phytase and formic acid additives in mixtures for sows on piglets performance and nutrient contents in the colostrum and milk of sows. Studies were carried out using 97 sows of PL x PLNV crossbreed divided into 5 groups. Sows of group I (positive control) were fed a standard mixture containing the basic nutrients and Ca and P contents recommended by NRC (1998). Phosphorus was added in CaHPO4 form. Sows of group II (negative control) were fed with a mixture without inorganic phosphorus. Group III sows received a mixture similar to that for group II plus a microbial phytase additive (500 PU kg(-1) of feed), group IV sows also got a mixture similar to group II plus formic acid additive (10 g kg(-1) of feed). Sows of group V likewise had their feed similar to that of group II with both phytase and formic acid additives. The number and body weight of new born piglets and the piglets in 21(st) and 28(th) day (weaning) of life were noted. Colostrum samples from 8 sows of each group were collected 4 hours after farrowing, and milk was collected at the 7(th), 14(th) and 21(st) day of lactation. Dry matter, fat, lactose, crude protein, ash and particular content were determined in the samples. Microbial phytase supplemented to the sow diets (500 PU kg(-1) of feed) during lactation increased protein content in colostrum and the content of P and Zn in both colostrum and milk. The additive of phytase also improved (p less than or equal to 0.05) body weight of new born and weaning piglets and decreased the piglet losses before weaning. The microbial phytase added to the diets together with formic acid had a somewhat better impact than phytase given by itself.