The Effects of Phytase and Non-Starch Polysaccharide-Hydrolyzing Enzymes on Trace Element Deposition, Intestinal Morphology, and Cecal Microbiota of Growing-Finishing Pigs

This study investigated the effects of supplementing phytase and non-starch polysaccharide-degrading enzymes (NSPases) to corn-soybean meal-based diet on the growth performance, trace element deposition, and intestinal health of growing-finishing pigs. Fifty pigs were randomly assigned into the control (basal diet), phytase (basal diet + 100 g/t of phytase), β-mannanase (basal diet + 40 g/t of β-mannanase), β-glucanase (basal diet + 100 g/t of β-glucanase), and xylanase (basal diet + 100 g/t of xylanase) groups. The results show that the supplementation of phytase and NSPases had no impacts ( > 0.05) on the growth performance of pigs. Compared with the control group, pigs fed with xylanase had higher ( < 0.05) Zn concentrations in the ileum and muscle and those fed with phytase had higher ( < 0.05) Zn concentrations in the ileum. Phytase and xylanase supplementation decreased ( < 0.05) fecal Zn concentrations in pigs compared with the control group ( < 0.05). In addition, phytase, β-mannanase, β-glucanase, and xylanase supplementation up-regulated ( < 0.05) the expression, whereas xylanase up-regulated ( < 0.05) the expression in the duodenum of pigs compared with the control group. Moreover, phytase, β-glucanase, and xylanase supplementation up-regulated ( < 0.05) the jejunal expression compared with the control group. The intestinal morphology results show that the phytase, β-mannanase, and xylanase groups had increased villus heights (VHs), an increased villus height-crypt depth ratio (VH:CD), and decreased crypt depths (CDs) in the duodenum, whereas phytase, β-mannanase, β-glucanase, and xylanase groups had decreased VH and VH:CD, and increased CD in the jejunum compared with the control group ( < 0.05). Pigs fed with exogenous enzymes had decreased bacterial diversity in the cecum. The dietary supplementation of NSPases increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes and decreased spirochaetes ( < 0.05). Compared with the control group, dietary NSPase treatment decreased ( < 0.05) the opportunistic pathogens, such as and . Moreover, the relative abundances of and Lachnospiraceae were enriched in the β-glucanase and β-mannanase groups ( < 0.05), respectively. In conclusion, phytase and xylanase supplementation may promote zinc deposition in pigs. Additionally, the supplementation of NSPases may improve the gut health of pigs by modulating the intestinal morphology and microbiota.