Effects of dietary supplementation of exogenous multi-enzyme mixture containing carbohydrases and phytase on growth performance, energy and nutrient digestibility, and selected mucosal gene expression in the small intestine of weanling pigs fed nutrient deficient diets

Effect of carbohydrases and phytase supplementation on growth performance, nutrient utilization and gut health of nursery pigs was evaluated. Pigs were blocked by body weight (BW) and sex and allocated to four treatments. Treatments were a positive control (PC), a negative control (NC) deficient in metabolizable energy (ME), crude protein (CP), Ca, and non-phytate P (nPP), NC plus Rovabio(R) Max AP enzyme mix, at 0.05 and 0.075 g kg(-1). Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) was determined in faecal samples. Apparent ileal digestibility (AID) was determined in ileal digesta samples collected after euthanasia. Lower final BW and average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.05) were observed in NC compared with PC. Enzyme at 0.05 g kg-1 increased (P < 0.05) BW on d 14 and d 41, respectively, and also increased ADG. Enzyme at 0.075 g kg-1 increased BW on d 14 and ADG on d 0 to d 14 (P < 0.05). Feed efficiency [gain to feed ratio (G: F)] was greater (P < 0.05) in PC than NC from d 15 to d 41 and from d 0 to d 41. No difference in G: F was observed with enzyme supplementation. Higher (P < 0.05) serum Ca and bone ash were observed in PC than NC. Enzyme increased the ATTD of Ca and P (P < 0.05) compared with NC.