A deterministic, dynamic model was developed, to enable predictions of phosphorus (P) digested, retained and excreted for different pig genotypes and under different dietary conditions. Before confidence can be placed on the predictions of the model, its evaluation was required. A sensitivity analysis of model predictions to ±20% changes in the model parameters was undertaken using a basal UK industry standard diet and a pig genotype characterized by British Society Animal Science as being of 'intermediate growth'. Model outputs were most sensitive to the values of the efficiency of digestible P utilization for growth and the non-phytate P absorption coefficient from the small intestine into the bloodstream; all other model parameters influenced model outputs by <10%, with the majority of the parameters influencing outputs by <5%. Independent data sets of published experiments were used to evaluate model performance based on graphical comparisons and statistical analysis. The literature studies were selected on the basis of the following criteria: they were within the BW range of 20 to 120 kg, pigs grew in a thermo-neutral environment; and they provided information on P intake, retention and excretion. In general, the model predicted satisfactorily the quantitative pig responses, in terms of P digested, retained and excreted, to variation in dietary inorganic P supply, Ca and phytase supplementation. The model performed well with 'conventional', European feed ingredients and poorly with 'less conventional' ones, such as dried distillers grains with solubles and canola meal. Explanations for these inconsistencies in the predictions are offered in the paper and they are expected to lead to further model development and improvement. The latter would include the characterization of the origin of phytate in pig diets. Keywords: mathematical model, phosphorus, phytate, pig, sensitivity analysis
ImplicationsThe model developed in the companion paper (Symeou et al., 2014) and evaluated here predicts adequately the P digestion, retention and excretion of growing-finishing pigs for a wide range of dietary compositions and for pigs of different genotypes. Consequently, the model can be applied to develop feeding strategies to optimize phosphorus (P) utilization and minimize the different forms of P excreted to the environment. The model can be further improved, by considering 'reactive' as opposed to total phytate content of the diet, as well as experimentally establishing the net efficiency of digestible P utilization for growth and the non-phytate P absorption coefficient from the small intestine into the bloodstream, for pigs offered access to different diets.