Fecal microbial diversity and putative function in captive western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), common chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), Hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) and binturongs (Arctictis binturong)

Microbial populations in the gastrointestinal tract contribute to host health and nutrition. Although gut microbial ecology is well studied in livestock and domestic animals, little is known of the endogenous populations inhabiting primates or carnivora. We characterized microbial populations in fecal cultures from gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), common chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), Hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) and binturongs (Arctictis binturong) to compare the microbiomes associated with different gastrointestinal morphologies and different omnivorous feeding strategies. Each species was fed a distinct standardized diet for 2 weeks prior to fecal collection. All diets were formulated to reflect the species' feeding strategies in situ. Fresh fecal samples were pooled within species and used to inoculate in vitro batch cultures. Acetate, propionate, butyrate and valerate were measured after 24 h of incubation. Eubacterial DNA was extracted from individual fecal samples, pooled, and the cpn60 gene region was amplified and then sequenced to identify the major eubacterial constituents associated with each host species. Short chain fatty acids (P < 0.001) and methane (P < 0.001) were significantly different across species. Eubacterial profiles were consistent with fermentation data and suggest an increase in diversity with dietary fiber.     

Parasitology of feeding raw sheep to fitch

Extract

Sir:–The widespread practice of feeding macerated raw carcasses and offal of cull sheep to fitch (Mustela putorius Juro) prompted some concern as to whether fitch could be a definitive host of Echinococcus granulosus, Taenia hydatigena or Taenia ovis. Because mustelids do not normally feed on sheep carcasses, the lack of records of sheep parasites in mustelids does not necessarily mean that the association could not occur.     

Ecotourist trail-use affects the taxonomic,functional and phylogenetic diversity of mammals in a protected area: lessons for conservation management

Ecotourism, by definition, aims to engage peoples’ interest in wildlife and the environment. The use of tourist roads and trails to access sites within protected areas (PAs) can detrimentally affect the behavior and distribution of species. The way mammals respond to anthropogenic pressures may differ across taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic groups; nevertheless, how ecotourist trail-use affects these different diversity remains under-investigated. Here, we assessed 6 metrics of taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity for a mammal community in a PA in central China, recording how Trail use (using Trail type as a proxy) and habitat variables affected sightings and signs of mammals across 60 replicate 0.5 km transects. We then examined how Trail use affected the taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity indices of species (>1 kg). Using generalized liner mixed modeling, we identified that more used trail types had a greater adverse effect on all diversity richness indices than did less used trail types. Consequently, tourist pressure was associated with a general tendency to homogenize the site's mammal community. In contrast, the effects of Trail Types on all diversity evenness indices were non-significant. Furthermore, more developed and more heavily used trail types had a greater, significant negative effect on taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic richness, whereas these richness indices were unaffected by minor trail types, used less intensively. As a general principle, lower biodiversity indices reduce ecosystem resilience, and so it is vital to better understand these responses to balance public access against biodiversity management in PAs.     

Metabolomic differences of seminal plasma between boars with high and low average conception rates after artificial insemination

Seminal plasma is a complex biological fluid containing many metabolites including amino acids, fructose, carbohydrates and lipids Metabolites play important roles in multiple biological processes, but details and significance of the seminal plasma metabolome related to boar fertility are unknown. The aim of the present study was to compare the comprehensive metabolome of seminal plasma from boars with different conception rate after artificial insemination and to identify the potential biomarkers. Semen samples were collected from boars which divided into two groups according to the conception rates in the offspring. Seminal plasma metabolites were isolated, purified, and then subjected to Ultra-high Performance Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-qTOF-MS) procession. A total of 576 (Positive ion mode) and 377 (Negative ion mode) metabolites were identified in seminal plasma. Metabolites were identified and categorized according to their major chemical classes, including carboxylic acids and derivatives, organooxygen compounds, amino acids, peptides, and alogues, fatty amides, fatty acyls, benzene and substituted derivatives, purine nucleotides, pyrimidine nucleotides, glycosyl compounds, fatty acids and conjugates. The results showed that 4-Aminobenzoate, Pro-Asn, Ile-Tyr, Homoveratric acid and D-Biotin were higher in semen of boar with higher conception rate (HG) versus lower conception rate (LG) (p < .05), whereas L-Serine, Butoxyacetic acid, S-Methyl-5'-thioadenosine, Capsaicin and 1-O-(cis-9-Octadecenyl)-2-O-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PAF) were lower in HG than in LG (p < .05). These metabolites may be considered as candidate biomarkers for different fertility in boars.     

Metabolomic profiling of goslings with visceral gout reveals a distinct metabolic signature

ABSTRACT

1. 1.The objective of the experiment was to analyse serum profiles of goslings with visceral gout and compare them with those of healthy individuals to identify differentially-abundant metabolites as potential biomarkers.

2. 2.Untargeted gas chromatography and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS) metabolomic pro?ling was used to compare the serum metabolome of 15 goslings (Anser cygnoides) with gout and 15 healthy goslings (control).

3. 3.Goslings with gout had a metabolic pro?le distinct from that of the controls, with 45 metabolite levels differing significantly (VIP > 1; P < 0.05) between both groups. Nine metabolites (hydrocortisone, glucose, trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline, galactose, 2-deoxy-D-galactose, beta-mannosylglycerate, d-glucoheptose, zymosterol, and hypoxanthine) were selected through receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis (area under curve (AUC) score ≥0.85) as potential biomarkers. Pathway analysis revealed that metabolites with differing levels were mainly involved in galactose, arginine and proline and purine metabolisms.

4. 4.These results provided new insights into the pathogenesis of gout. Increased xanthine and hypoxanthine with decreased hydrocortisone provide promising biomarkers for gosling gout diagnosis. The findings suggested that hepatic metabolic disorders frequently occur in the development of avian gout.

     

A mammal survey of the Serra Jeci Mountain Range,Mozambique, with a review of records from northern Mozambique’s inselbergs

The mountains of northern Mozambique have remained poorly studied biologically until recent years with surveys covering a variety of taxonomic groups highlighting their biological and conservation value. Even so, the medium and large mammal fauna remains poorly known and to date no systematic mammal surveys have been published from any of Mozambique’s mountains. We present results of a medium and large mammal survey of Serra Jeci’s Mt Chitagal, Mt Sanga and the Njesi Plateau in Niassa, northern Mozambique; the first mammal diversity data collected from these isolated mountains. We recorded 27 mammal species, of which six represent range expansions; Sykes’s monkey (Cercophitecus mitis), Mozambique dwarf galago (Paragalago granti), Smith’s red rock hare (Pronolagus rupestris), lesser cane rat (Thryonomys gregorianus), rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). We also reviewed and collated records of medium and large mammals from previously published fieldwork on northern Mozambique’s mountains, amounting to a total of 34 large mammal species from seven montane areas, highlighting the lack of mammalian knowledge in Mozambique’s Afromontane habitats.     

Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall extract and poplar propolis ethanol extract supplementation on growth performance,digestibility, blood profile,fecal microbiota and fecal noxious gas emissions in growing pigs

A total of 105 growing pigs (24.91 ± 1.06 kg) were used in a 6‐week trial to investigate the effects of including Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall extract and poplar propolis ethanol extract (SPE) in the diet on growth performance, digestibility, blood profiles, fecal microbiota and fecal noxious gas emissions. Pigs were randomly allocated to one of three dietary treatments (seven pens/treatment, five pigs/pen) according to initial body weight and sex (two gilts and three barrows). Treatments consisted of a corn soybean meal basal diet supplemented with 0, 0.05 or 0.10% SPE. There was a significant linear improvement (P < 0.05) in average daily gain, gain/feed, the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen, and gross energy, blood lymphocyte percentage, immunoglobulin G concentration, fecal Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus counts as well as fecal NH₃ and H₂S emissions associated with the inclusion of SPE in the diet. Average daily feed intake, red blood cells and white blood cells concentration were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by SPE supplementation in the diets. In conclusion, results indicate that dietary SPE supplementation can improve growth performance, digestibility and fecal microbiota, and decrease fecal gas emissions in growing pigs.     

Protein-losing enteropathy in dogs is associated with decreased fecal proteolytic activity

Background: Measurement of proteolytic activity in feces is a traditional method for the diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). A drawback of this method is the occurrence of falsely low results that may lead to a false‐positive diagnosis of EPI. We hypothesized that intestinal loss of serum proteinase inhibitors in protein‐losing enteropathy (PLE) may inhibit fecal proteolytic activity and be a potential source of false low results. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of PLE on fecal proteolytic activity in dogs. Methods: Fecal proteolytic activity was measured using a radial diffusion casein digestion assay in 12 samples from 4 clinically healthy control dogs and 30 samples from 16 dogs with PLE. Gastrointestinal protein loss was assessed using an ELISA to determine fecal canine α₁‐proteinase inhibitor concentration. The relationship between the concentration of canine α₁‐proteinase inhibitor in the feces and the diameter cleared in the casein digestion assay was determined. The mean clearing diameter was compared between control dogs and dogs with PLE. Results: A significant negative correlation was observed between fecal canine α₁‐proteinase inhibitor concentration and casein clearing diameter (P < .001, Pearson r=—.6317, r 2 =.3999). Mean clearing diameter was significantly lower in dogs with PLE than in control dogs (12.63 vs 16.83 mm, P < .001, two‐tailed Student's t‐test). Conclusion: Increased fecal loss of α₁‐proteinase inhibitor in dogs with PLE is associated with a significant decrease in fecal proteolytic activity and may result in a false positive diagnosis of EPI.     

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles and Diversity in Salmonella from Humans and Cattle, 2004–2011

Analysis of long‐term anti‐microbial resistance (AMR) data is useful to understand source and transmission dynamics of AMR. We analysed 5124 human clinical isolates from Washington State Department of Health, 391 cattle clinical isolates from the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and 1864 non‐clinical isolates from foodborne disease research on dairies in the Pacific Northwest. Isolates were assigned profiles based on phenotypic resistance to 11 anti‐microbials belonging to eight classes. Salmonella Typhimurium (ST), Salmonella Newport (SN) and Salmonella Montevideo (SM) were the most common serovars in both humans and cattle. Multinomial logistic regression showed ST and SN from cattle had greater probability of resistance to multiple classes of anti‐microbials than ST and SN from humans (P < 0.0001). While these findings could be consistent with the belief that cattle are a source of resistant ST and SN for people, occurrence of profiles unique to cattle and not observed in temporally related human isolates indicates these profiles are circulating in cattle only. We used various measures to assess AMR diversity, conditional on the weighting of rare versus abundant profiles. AMR profile richness was greater in the common serovars from humans, although both source data sets were dominated by relatively few profiles. The greater profile richness in human Salmonella may be due to greater diversity of sources entering the human population compared to cattle or due to continuous evolution in the human environment. Also, AMR diversity was greater in clinical compared to non‐clinical cattle Salmonella, and this could be due to anti‐microbial selection pressure in diseased cattle that received treatment. The use of bootstrapping techniques showed that although there were shared profiles between humans and cattle, the expected and observed number of profiles was different, suggesting Salmonella and associated resistance from humans and cattle may not be wholly derived from a common population.     

Pharmacometabolomics with a combination of PLS-DA and random forest algorithm analyses reveal meloxicam alters feline plasma metabolite profiles

Repeated administration of meloxicam to cats is often limited by the potential damage to multiple organ systems. Identifying molecules that predict the adverse effects of meloxicam would help to monitor and individualize its administration, maximizing meloxicam's beneficial effects. The objectives of this study were to (a) determine if the repeated administration of meloxicam to cats alters the plasma metabolome and (b) identify plasma metabolites that may serve to monitor during the administration of meloxicam in cats. Purpose bred young adult cats (n = 12) were treated with meloxicam at 0.3 mg/kg or saline subcutaneously once daily for up to 17 days. An untargeted metabolomics approach was applied to plasma samples collected prior to and at designated time points after meloxicam or saline administration. To refine the discovery of biomarkers, the machine-learning algorithms, partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and random forest (RF), were trained and validated using a separate unrelated group of meloxicam- and saline-treated cats (n = 8). A total of 74 metabolites were included in the statistical analysis. Metabolomic analysis shows that the repeated administration of meloxicam alters multiple substances in plasma, including nonvolatile organic acids, aromatic amino acids, monosaccharides, and inorganic compounds as early as four days following administration of meloxicam. Seventeen plasma molecules were able to distinguish meloxicam-treated from saline-treated cats. The metabolomic changes discovered in this study may help to unveil unknown mechanisms of NSAID-induced side effects. In addition, some metabolites could be valuable for individualizing the administration of meloxicam to cats to mitigate adverse effects.     

畜禽粪便挥发性有机物的研究进展及其在动物健康诊断应用中的潜力

挥发性有机物(VOCs)是养殖业粪污造成空气污染的重要源头。随着高通量测序等化学检测技术和生物信息学等生物研究技术的不断发展,深度认知粪便VOCs组成并对其进行利用成为可能。本文对VOCs的定义和来源、危害和检测方法,以及畜禽粪便VOCs在动物健康诊断中的潜在利用价值进行综述,旨在为进一步将粪便VOCs用于动物健康诊断提供理论基础。     

Comparison of the fecal microbiota of two monogastric herbivorous and five omnivorous mammals

Fecal microbiota in seven different monogastric animal species, elephant, horse, human, marmoset, mouse, pig and, rat were compared using the same analytical protocol of 16S rRNA metagenome. Fecal microbiota in herbivores showed higher alpha diversity than omnivores except for pigs. Additionally, principal coordinate analysis based on weighted UniFrac distance demonstrated that herbivores and pigs clustered together, whereas other animal species were separately aggregated. In view of butyrate‐ and lactate‐producing bacteria, predominant genera were different depending on animal species. For example, the abundance of Faecalibacterium, a known butyrate producer, was 8.02% ± 3.22% in human while it was less than 1% in other animal species. Additionally, Bifidobacterium was a predominant lactate producer in human and marmoset, while it was rarely detected in other omnivores. The abundance of lactate‐producing bacteria in herbivores was notably lower than omnivores. On the other hand, herbivores as well as pig possess Fibrobacter, a cellulolytic bacterium. This study demonstrated that fecal microbiota in herbivorous animals is similar, sharing some common features such as higher alpha diversity and higher abundance of cellulolytic bacterium. On the other hand, omnivorous animals seem to possess unique fecal microbiota. It is of interest that pigs, although omnivore, have fecal microbiota showing some common features with herbivores.     

Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum infection in Neotropical primates in the western Amazon,Brazil

The Brazilian Amazon is endemic for malaria and natural infections by Plasmodium spp. have been detected in Neotropical primates. Despite the diversity of primate species in the region, studies on infections by these agents are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency of infection by Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum in free‐born primates that were kept in captivity, in the western Amazon, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 98 Neotropical primates. Detection of P. vivax and P. falciparum DNA was performed using a semi‐nested PCR, and the amplified products were sequenced. Plasmodium spp. DNA was detected in 6.12% (6/98) of the primates. P. vivax, and P. falciparum DNA was detected in 2.04% (2/98) and 4.08% (4/98) of these mammals, respectively. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the results obtained from the semi‐nested PCR. The presence of infected non‐human primates (NHP) can be auxiliary in the maintenance of P. falciparum and P. vivax and may have implications for the malaria surveillance and control in the Brazilian Amazon. It is necessary to structure an efficient surveillance system for the aetiological agents of malaria that infect NHP and humans to reduce the risk of Plasmodium spp. introduction into new areas, to protect all susceptible species.     

Effect of ruminal protozoa on fecal microbiota in cattle using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism

The effect of the presence of ruminal protozoa on the composition of fecal microbiota in cattle was investigated. Six castrated Holstein cattle (mean bodyweight 137 kg) were divided into two groups: three faunated and three unfaunated. The fecal bacterial composition of the faunated and unfaunated cattle was compared using a culture method and by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T‐RFLP) analysis. Approximately 0.4 to 2.3% of the bacterial cells detected by microscopy formed colonies on medium 10. The major terminal restriction fragments were detected in the T‐RFLP profiles generated by Hha I and Msp I digestion in both the faunated and unfaunated cattle. In particular, the Bacteroides group, the Clostridium coccoides group and the Clostridium leptum subgroup might be the known bacterial groups that protozoa influence by Msp I digestion. From the dendrogram analysis by T‐RFLP patterns, the faunated and unfaunated cattle were divided into two clusters, I and II, respectively. These results suggest that absence of protozoa in the rumen changes the composition of fecal bacteria.     

Ryegrass Staggers: Isolation of Potent Neurotoxins Lolitrem a and Lolitrem B From Staggers-Producing Pastures

Sir, — We wish to report the isolation of two potent neurotoxins from herbage collected from pastures on which the disease of livestock known as ldryegrass staggers rd^(8)(11) occurred. These neurotoxins have been partially characterised by their mass spectral properties (see below) and appear to be new compounds not previously reported. We propose the general name lolitrems for the neurotoxins, based on their association with ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and on their ability to produce tremors in animals, and name the isolated compounds lolitrem A and lolitrem B.     

Analyses of lipopolysaccharides, outer membrane proteins and DNA fingerprints reveal intraspecies diversity in Moraxella bovis isolated in Argentina

Intra-specific diversity within Moraxella bovis was investigated analysing DNA fingerprints, outer membrane proteins (OMP) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS) profiles. Three collection strains and 57 isolates of M. bovis, collected during 3 years from cattle with infectious bovine keratoconjunctivitis (IBK) symptoms, from diverse geographical locations of Argentina, were examined. The LPS and OMP profiles were studied through SDS–PAGE analysis and genotype was determined by PCR-DNA fingerprinting. Genotyping identified five DNA types while analysis of LPS and OMP profiles identified three rough LPS types and three OMP types among the 60 isolates of M. bovis including the three collection strains. None of the three methods employed to assess diversity was discriminating when used alone because the degree of heterogeneity in each group of surface structures was limited, but when data of each typing method were combined, 15 distinct subgroups were determined. This subgrouping was clearly able to differentiate isolates of the same genotype. These typing methods appear to be useful to assess different aspects of the disease such as the diversity within a population of M. bovis associated to epidemic conditions, track the causal agent in an outbreak of the disease, monitoring vaccination programs and studies on virulence.     

Bird habitat preferences drive hemoparasite infection in the Neotropical region

The role that the environment plays in vector-borne parasite infection is one of the central factors for understanding disease dynamics. We assessed how Neotropical bird foraging strata and habitat preferences determine infection by parasites of the genera Haemoproteus, Plasmodium, Leucocytozoon, and Trypanosoma and filarioids, and tested for phylogenetic signal in these host–parasite associations. We performed extensive searches of the scientific literature and created a database of hemoparasite surveys. We collected data on host body mass, foraging strata, habitat preference, and migratory status, and tested if host ecological traits predict each hemoparasite occurrence and prevalence using a phylogenetic Bayesian framework. Species of Plasmodium tend to infect birds from tropical forests while birds from altitudinal environments are likely to be infected by species of Leucocytozoon. The probability of a bird being infected by filarioid or Trypanosoma is higher in lowland forests. Bird species that occur in anthropic environments and dry habitats of tropical latitudes are more susceptible to infection by species of Haemoproteus. Host foraging strata is also influential and bird species that forage in the mid-high and canopy strata are more prone to infection by species of Haemoproteus and filarioids. We also identified phylogenetic signal for host–parasite associations with the probability of infection of Neotropical birds by any hemoparasite being more similar among more closely related species. We provided a useful framework to identify environments that correlate with hemoparasite infection, which is also helpful for detecting areas with potential suitability for hemoparasite infection due to land conversion and climate change.     

Nutrient digestibility, blood profiles and fecal microbiota are influenced by chitooligosaccharide supplementation of growing pigs

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary chitooligosaccharide (COS) supplementation on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles and fecal microbiota in growing pigs. A total of 144 [(Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] pigs with an initial body weight of 23.6 ± 1.1 kg were allotted to one of the following dietary treatments: 1) basal diet; 2) basal diet with 44 mg/kg of tylosin (100 mg/kg tylosin); 3) basal diet with 5 g/kg of COS and 4) basal diet with 5 g/kg COS and 44 mg/kg tylosin. There were nine replications per treatment with four pigs per pen. Throughout the experiment, pigs that were treated with a combination of COS and tylosin had a lower ADFI (P = 0.02) and higher gain/feed ratio (P < 0.05) than the other treatments. In addition, administration of either COS or tylosin alone significantly increased the digestibility of dry matter, nitrogen and gross energy (P < 0.05). The red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) counts, as well as the serum albumin concentrations were not affected by COS or tylosin supplementation. However, the lymphocyte proportion and serum total protein concentration were increased in pigs fed tylosin supplemented diets compared with those pigs fed diets not supplemented with tylosin (P < 0.05). Administration of tylosin significantly increased serum IgG concentration (P = 0.02); however, treatment with COS or tylosin supplementation had no effect on the total cholesterol or triglyceride concentrations. The serum HDL cholesterol concentration was significantly increased in pigs treated with COS (P = 0.02) compared to the pigs fed diets without COS. The COS administration also decreased the number of fecal Escherichia coli (P < 0.01), whereas the number of fecal Lactobacilli was not influenced by either COS or tylosin administration. Results of the current study indicate that dietary supplementation of COS can improve nutrient digestibility and haematological profiles, as well as decrease of fecal E. coli populations in growing pigs.     

Comparison effects of dietary iron dextran and bacterial‐iron supplementation on growth performance,fecal microbial flora,and blood profiles in sows and their litters

This study was conducted to compare effects of dietary administration of iron dextran and bacterial‐iron on growth performance, fecal microbial flora, and blood profiles in sows and their litters. A total of 20 multiparous sows (Landrace × Yorkshire) were randomly allotted into two treatments: (i) ID (basal diet, piglets were injected with iron dextran); (ii) BR (basal diet + bacterial‐iron; bacterial‐iron was given to sows, piglets were not injected with iron dextran). There were five replicates per treatment with two sows per replicate. No differences were observed on sow and piglet growth performance, fecal microbial flora as well as sow blood profiles between ID and BR treatments. In piglets, blood iron, red blood cell and hemoglobin concentrations in ID treatment were higher (P < 0.05) on days 12 and 24. Furthermore, concentration of white blood cells in BR treatment was lower (P < 0.05) on day 12. However, the percentage of lymphocytes on day 12 was increased (P < 0.05) in BR treatment. In conclusion, effect of iron dextran and bacterial‐iron has no difference on growth performance in lactating sows and piglets, but iron dextran injection has higher blood iron, white blood cell, red blood cell and hemoglobin concentrations in piglets.     

Effects of dietary supplementation of modified zinc oxide on growth performance,nutrient digestibility,blood profiles,fecal microbial shedding and fecal score in weanling pigs

One hundred and forty piglets ((Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc, 21 day of age) with an initial weight of 6.50 ± 0.71 kg, were randomly allotted into four treatments to determine the effects of a modified form of zinc oxide (ZnO) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, fecal microbial shedding and fecal score in weanling pigs. Dietary treatments were: (i) NC, negative control, basal diet containing zinc (Zn) from the premix; (ii) PC, positive control, basal diet containing Zn‐free premix + 3000 ppm ZnO; (iii) H1, basal diet containing Zn‐free premix + 3000 ppm ZnO (phase 1, days 1 to 14)/200 ppm modified ZnO (phase 2, days 15 to 42); (iv) H2, basal diet containing Zn‐free premix + 300 ppm modified ZnO (phase 1)/200 ppm modified ZnO (phase 2). During days 1 to 14, average daily gains (ADG) were higher (P = 0.04) in PC, H1 and H2 groups than that in NC group. Overall, H1 treatment increased the ADG compared with NC (P = 0.05). On day 14, the alkaline phosphatase and plasma Zn concentration were increased (P = 0.01 and 0.04, respectively) in PC, H1 and H2 treatments compared with NC treatment. On days 14 and 42, the fecal Lactobacillus counts in NC group were lowest (P = 0.01, P = 0.04 respectively) among treatments. All supplemented groups showed lower (P = 0.03) fecal score than NC treatment on days 21 and 28. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with modified ZnO increased growth rates and reduced fecal scores in weanling pig. Modified ZnO could be used as a substitute to ZnO as a growth promoter and reduce Zn excretion to the environment because of the lower dosage. [Correction added on 3 February 2015, after first online publication: the initial weight of ‘6.50 ± 1.11 kg’ has been replaced with ‘6.50 ± 0.71 kg’ in the abstract.]