R. Bras. Zootec.13/nov/2026;55:e20250149.
Phytase supplementation effects on performance and tibia ash content in male broilers (22-42 days of age): A systematic review and meta-analysis
Roberto Alexandre Yamawaki
, Felipe Mathias Weber Hickmann
, Ines Andretta
, Bruno Serpa Vieira
, Alex Maiorka
ABSTRACT
The finisher phase (22 to 42 days post-hatching) is a critical period in broiler production due to its high feed consumption and growth rate. This study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of 21 peer-reviewed articles, comprising data from 10,706 male broilers aged 22 to 42 days, to quantify the effects of phytase (PHY) supplementation during this critical phase. A mixed-effects model was used to assess the impacts of PHY, dietary non-phytate phosphorus (NPP), and the calcium to non-phytate phosphorus (Ca:NPP) ratio, including their interactions, on average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and tibia ash content. PHY supplementation improved growth performance and tibia ash content (P<0.05), with more pronounced effects observed in low-NPP diets. Additionally, increasing dietary NPP levels also enhanced growth performance and tibia ash content. However, higher Ca:NPP ratios negatively affected ADG, ADFI, FCR, and tibia ash content, particularly in diets without PHY supplementation. These findings highlight the positive effects of PHY supplementation, reinforcing its benefits for improving growth performance, FCR, and tibia ash content in male broilers during the finisher phase.
Palavras-chave: finisher phase; non-phytate phosphorus; poultry
