Interactive Effects of Phytase Supplementation and Dietary Oil Source on Humoral Immune Response, Leukocyte Profile, Mineral Digestibility, and Growth Performance in Broiler Chickens

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

1 Department of Animal Science, ShQ.C., Islamic Azad University, Shahr-e Qods, Iran

2 Department of Animal Science, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran

10.66224/ari.2026.373883.4293

Abstract

This study evaluated the interactive effects of phytase supplementation and oil source on growth performance, calcium and phosphorus digestibility, mineral status, and immune responses in broiler chickens. A 540 male Ross 308 broilers were assigned to six treatments in a randomized 2 × 3 factorial arrangement with two phytase levels (0 and 500 FTU/kg) and three oil sources (soybean oil, soybean–palm oil blend, and palm oil), with six replicates per treatment for 42 days. Significant phytase × oil source interactions were observed for body weight gain, feed intake, mortality rate (P < 0.05), and ileal calcium and phosphorus digestibility (P < 0.01). Phytase-supplemented birds fed soybean oil had the highest body weight gain and feed intake. The lowest mortality occurred in birds receiving unsupplemented palm oil and phytase-supplemented soybean–palm oil blend diets. The highest ileal calcium digestibility was observed with the unsupplemented soybean–palm oil blend, whereas the highest phosphorus digestibility occurred with the phytase-supplemented blend and unsupplemented palm oil diets. Phytase supplementation increased serum calcium concentration (P < 0.05), while serum phosphorus, tibia calcium, phosphorus and total ash, and immune parameters, including antibody titers against sheep red blood cells and leukocyte profiles, were unaffected by phytase, oil source, or their interaction (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the effects of phytase on growth performance and ileal mineral digestibility depend strongly on dietary oil source. Replacing soybean oil partially or completely with palm oil in phytase-supplemented diets may provide an effective and economically viable feeding strategy without compromising bone mineralization or immunity.

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Archives of Razi Institute

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 22 September 2026

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