The ileal digestibility, the retention of nutrients, and the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) values of diets supplemented with phytase and low levels of nonphytate phosphorus (NPP) for broilers were evaluated. Three hundred and thirty male birds were used. The experiment was designed in randomized blocks in a factorial arrangement 2x3 with two phytase levels (0 and 25U/kg) and three NPP levels (100, 85, and 70% of the bird requirement in each phase), with five replicates of 11 broiler for each experimental unit. Effects of NPP vs phytase interaction and NPP and phytase levels on dry matter (DM) and phosphorus (P) retention were not observed; but significant effects of NPP vs phytase on crude protein (CP) retention and DM ileal digestibility coefficient (IDC). Phytase supplementation, independently of NPP levels, improved CPIDC, CaIDC, PIDC, and Ca retention and the lower NPP levels decreased the gross energy metabolization in diets with 85 and 70% of NPP requirements. Diets with NPP level corresponding to 70% of the bird requirements, supplemented with phytase, can be used for broiler with no negative effect on ileal digestibility and retention of dry matter, crude protein, calcium and phosphorus, and on apparent metabolizable energy.
enzymes; nutritive value; phosphorus deficiency
