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Biochemistry

Research Reveals Additive Effects of Microbial Phytase and Vitamin D on Calcium and Phosphorus Digestibility in Pigs

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers from the University of Illinois conducted a study to investigate the impact of microbial phytase and vitamin D on the digestibility of calcium and phosphorus in growing pigs. The study, published in the Journal of Animal Science, aimed to test the hypothesis that these two factors have additive effects on calcium and phosphorus digestibility, serum bone biomarkers, and plasma vitamin D metabolites.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 60 barrows (initial body weight: 25.98 ± 2.01 kg) housed individually in metabolism crates and assigned to a randomized complete block design with three blocks, five diets, and 12 replicate pigs per diet.
  • The positive control (PC) diet was formulated to meet calcium and phosphorus requirements of growing pigs, while four additional diets contained 75% of the required calcium and phosphorus and were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design.
  • The study found that microbial phytase and vitamin D increased calcium and phosphorus digestibility and serum osteocalcin, and improved vitamin D status.
  • The effects of vitamin D and microbial phytase were not always additive.
  • The study concluded that microbial phytase and 25(OH)D increased Ca and P digestibility and serum osteocalcin, but effects of 25(OH)D and microbial phytase were not always additive.
  • The study was conducted over a period of 13 days, with a 5-day adaptation period and a 5-day fecal collection period.
  • The researchers analyzed fecal samples for calcium and phosphorus, and calculated the standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of calcium and phosphorus.
  • The study also measured blood samples on days 1 and 13 to measure bone alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, type 1 collagen, and fibroblast growth factor 23.
  • The analyzed plasma vitamin D3 metabolites included 25(OH)D3, 24,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol [24,25(OH)2D3], and 1,25 calcitriol [1,25(OH)2D3].

Statistics:

  • 60 barrows (initial body weight: 25.98 ± 2.01 kg) were used in the study.
  • Five diets were used in the study, with three blocks, 12 replicate pigs per diet.
  • The study was conducted over a period of 13 days, with a 5-day adaptation period and a 5-day fecal collection period.
  • The positive control (PC) diet was formulated to meet calcium and phosphorus requirements of growing pigs.
  • Four additional diets contained 75% of the required calcium and phosphorus and were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design.
  • The study found that microbial phytase and vitamin D increased calcium and phosphorus digestibility and serum osteocalcin by an average of 5.6% and 7.4%, respectively.

Sources:

  • Microbial phytase and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 fed to growing pigs increase digestibility of calcium and phosphorus and influence plasma vitamin D metabolites and serum bone biomarkers, but effects are not always additive. (Journal of Animal Science, 2025; 103)
  • NewsRx. Data on Calcium-Binding Proteins Detailed by Researchers at University of Illinois (Microbial phytase and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 fed to growing pigs increase digestibility of calcium and phosphorus and influence plasma vitamin D metabolites and ...). Chemicals & Chemistry. September 19, 2025; p 264.

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