藏鸡与白来航、寿光鸡杂交F_1代生长性状的研究

利用藏鸡(Z)分别与白来航鸡(B)、寿光鸡(H)进行正、反杂交,观察杂交F1 代体型外貌的变化,并测定其生长性状。结果表明,藏鸡和白来航鸡正、反交组合F1 代的羽色主要表现为白色,藏鸡和寿光鸡正、反交组合F1 的羽色主要为黑色。藏鸡作父本,白来航鸡和寿光鸡作母本,可使后代的生长发育有同步的改善。采用Gompertz模型对杂交F1 的体重进行拟合分析,拟合度均达99.99%以上;拟合结果表明,藏鸡作父本的杂交F1 代的成熟体重和拐点体重均高于藏鸡作母本的杂交F1;而藏鸡作父本的杂交F1 代的拐点日龄稍晚于藏鸡作母本的相应组合。     

野生鸭茅杂交后代农艺性状的初步研究

以我国西部野生二倍体化学诱导所获同源四倍体鸭茅为母本,与野生四倍体鸭茅杂交,获得杂交四倍体。对比观测杂交后代形态、发育及重要农艺性状与亲本的差异。结果表明,1)杂交F1代的全生育期平均为208 d,比父本短39d,比母本长29 d;2)杂交F1种子萌芽后第4周的平均株高为15.1cm,比母本高65.9%,比父本高13.5%,F2的苗期生长与F1相似;3)杂交F2代播种当年干物质产量平均为12.12g/株,显著低于父本但高于母本(P<0.01);4)杂交F1代个体间在苗期生长、分蘖、再生、干物质产量、繁殖及抗病性等方面均存在较大差异,部分杂交后代的干物质产量与父本差异不显著(P>0.05),但苗期生长速度、繁殖特性、抗病性均强于双亲,有较大的育种选择价值;5)杂交F1代具有双亲的形态学特征,分蘖特性和物候发育介于双亲之间,易于识别,育种实践中可以通过自然杂交方式成功获得杂交后代。     

欧洲肉鸽Ⅱ系和白卡奴鸽杂交F1代性能观测及其杂交优势分析

以欧洲肉鸽Ⅱ系、白卡奴鸽、欧洲肉鸽Ⅱ系♂×白卡奴♀杂交F1代为研究对象,随机选取28日龄乳鸽各40只进行体尺及屠宰测定,探讨F1代获得杂交优势情况。结果显示,F1代体斜长、龙骨长、胸宽均显著高于母本水平(P0.05),胫长显著低于两亲本水平(P0.05),胫围超过了两亲本水平,与母本之间达到显著性差异(P0.05);F1代的体斜长、龙骨长、胫围存在杂交优势率,分别为3.17、4.60和9.24;F1代活体重、屠体重、半净膛重、全净膛重、腹脂重、胸肌重、腿肌重、胸肌率和腿肌率均显著高于母本水平(P0.05),半净膛率和全净膛率显著高于父本水平(P0.05),F1代的半净膛重、全净膛重、全净膛率和半净膛率存在杂交优势率,分别为0.36、0.41、4.66和4.75。综上所述,F1代鸽体型较大,杂交后肉用性能得到提升,欧洲肉鸽Ⅱ系♂×白卡奴♀杂交效果良好。     

蒙古羊与杜蒙F1代羔羊屠宰性能及肉品质评价

为了研究蒙古羊与杜泊羊的杂交优势,试验测定了以蒙古羊为母本、杜泊羊为父本的杜蒙F1代羔羊屠宰性能及肉品质。结果表明:杜蒙F1代羔羊前胸宽深,后躯丰满,肉用体型表现优于蒙古羊羔羊;杜蒙F1代羔羊屠宰性能各项指标好于蒙古羊羔羊,其中胴体重、净肉重、净肉率、屠宰率显著高于蒙古羊羔羊(P0.05);杜蒙F1代羔羊肉色鲜红,亮度(L*值)、红度(a*值)大于蒙古羊羔羊,而黄度(b*值)小于蒙古羊羔羊;杜蒙羊F1代羔羊股二头肌、臂三头肌、背最长肌嫩度也优于蒙古羊羔羊相应部位;股二头肌、臂三头肌肌内脂肪含量高于蒙古羊羔羊。说明以蒙古羊为母本、杜泊羊为父本的杂交组合可提高肉羊屠宰性能,改善羊肉色泽及嫩度。     

三元杂交羊生长性能的比较研究

本研究以哈萨克羊为母本、湖羊为父本杂交获得F1代,又以F1代为母本、萨福克羊为父本杂交获得F2代。对F1代和F2代的6月龄之前的体重指标、体尺指标的测量结果显示,F1代的生长性能与母本哈萨克羊比较相似;F2代的生长性能优于哈萨克羊、湖羊和F1代。     

引入德国肉用美利奴羊与科尔沁细毛羊杂交后代产肉性能的研究

利用德国肉用美利奴羊为父本,科尔沁细毛羊为母本进行杂交试验。经对德科F1代的测定,增重效果极显著,德科F1代生长发育快,上膘快,肉质鲜嫩,无论是胴体重、净肉重,还是屠宰率、净肉率均高于当地品种羊,经显著性检验,差异极显著(P<0.01)。     

雷州山羊杂交组合的比较试验

在常规放牧条件下 ,用波尔 (B)、奴比亚 (N)、隆林 (L′)山羊为父本 ,本地雷州山羊 (L)为母本 ,分 3个杂交组合进行筛选试验。结果表明 ,BL组的产羔率为 1 81 %、显著高于对照组的 1 73 7% (P <0 0 5) ,NL、L′L组分别为 1 64 7%、 1 61 1 %、显著低于BL组和对照组 (P <0 0 5)。杂种羔羊初生重分别为 2 33,1 99和 1 75kg ,均显著高于本地羊 1 53kg(P <0 0 5) ,8月龄体重为 2 4 39,2 0 94和 1 7 72kg ,较本地羊的1 4 82kg分别提高 65 57% ,41 30 %和 1 9 57% (P <0 0 5) ,杂种羊肉质与本地羊相同。BL和NL杂种羊体形均趋向父本 :肌肉丰满 ,适应性强 ,因而是改良本地山羊较好的组合。L′L后代生长速度和适应性较差 ,不宜推广。     

引入德国美利奴羊与巴音布鲁克羊杂交F1代产肉性能的研究

利用德国美利奴羊做父本,巴音布鲁克羊做母本进行杂交试验,并对德巴F1代羔羊的产肉性能进行了测定。结果表明,德巴F1代增重效果明显,采食好,生长速度快,上瞟快,肉质鲜嫩,无论是胴体重、净肉重,还是屠宰率、净肉率均高于巴音布鲁克羊,差异极显著(P<0.01)。     

不同杂交组合三月龄羔羊生长及肉用性能分析

本试验以邦德、黑萨福克、无角陶赛特和特克塞尔为父本,甘肃高山细毛羊为母本进行经济杂交试验,对F1代羔羊的生长性能和屠宰性能进行分析。生长观测数据显示邦甘细初生体重为4.24 kg,比陶甘细高9.27%(P0.01),比甘高细高7.34%(P0.01)。三月龄黑萨甘细体重达27.43 kg,比甘高细高40.16%(P0.01)。陶甘细3月龄前日增重是254.76 g,极显著高于甘高细的175.33 g(P0.01)。屠宰结果表明,陶甘细的宰前活体重、胴体重均极显著高于甘高细(P0.01)。3月龄时,陶甘细组合的屠宰率显著高于黑萨甘细(P0.05)。结果表明,以陶赛特羊为父本对甘高细进行杂交改良的F1代羔羊的生产性能和屠宰性能均显著提高,改良效果明显。     

南江黄羊与藏山羊杂交的效果分析

以南江黄羊为父本改良理县藏山羊所获得的杂交一代存活率达 1 2 4 2 8% ,较藏山羊的存活率1 1 3 78%提高 1 0 5个百分点 ,F1代初生重公、母分别为 2 1 9± 0 2 4kg和 1 78± 0 2 8kg ,较藏山羊 (♂ ) 1 75± 0 2 6kg ,,(♂ ) 1 4 0± 0 2 9kg相比差异极显著 (P <0 0 1 ) ,F1代不同月龄体重与相应的藏山羊组差异极显著(P <0 0 1 ) ;F1代不同月龄体尺与相应的藏山羊组差异显著 (P <0 0 5 )或极显著 (P <0 0 1 ) ;F1代生长发育快 ,适应性强 ,1 8月龄阉羊和母羊体重分别可达 2 7 6 9± 2 77kg、2 5 85± 2 2 9kg ,较 1 8月龄藏山羊 1 9 30±3 38kg、1 6 86± 2 4 5kg ,分别增重 43 4 7%、5 3 32 % ;杂交一代羊 1 8月龄均可出栏 ,而藏山羊 30月龄以后方可出栏。     

Preweaning growth of F1 tropically adapted beef cattle breeds x Angus and reproductive performance of their Angus dams in arid rangeland

The objective of this study was to determine the preweaning performance of F1 Brahman (Bos indicus)-, Senepol (Bos taurus)-, and Tuli (Sanga)-Angus calves under semiarid south Texas conditions and to evaluate the reproductive performance of their Angus dams. Four hundred eighty-nine records collected over 4 yr were analyzed. The statistical model for performance traits included the effects of breed of sire, year, sex, age of dam, and breed of sire x year. Year effects were important (P < 0.05) for performance traits but could be explained, at least partially, by differences between years in rainfall patterns. Brahman F1 calves were 13% less (P < 0.05) vigorous at birth, 4.7 kg heavier (P < 0.05) at birth, 13.5 kg heavier (P < 0.05) at weaning, 0.25 units lower (P < 0.05) in body condition score (BCS) at weaning, and 1.75 units greater (P < 0.05) in frame score (scores of 1 to 9) at weaning than Tuli and Senepol F1 calves. Senepol F1 calves were intermediate (P < 0.05) between the Brahman and Tuli F1 calves for birth and weaning weight but had 11% more (P < 0.05) vigor at birth than the other two crossbreds. Tuli and Senepol F1 were similar (P > 0.05) in BCS and frame size at weaning. Males were 3.3 kg heavier (P = 0.12) at birth than females, especially for the F1 Brahman males that were 4.5 kg heavier (P < 0.05) than their counterparts. Brahman F1 weaned 19.9 kg heavier (P < 0.05) than the average of the other two F1 in the year of the greatest rainfall (1994), whereas the average advantage in other years was 11.4 kg. This difference gave rise to a breed of sire x year interaction (P < 0.003). Brahman F1 were heavier at every measurement and appeared to be later-maturing and more able to excel under good forage conditions than the other two F1 breed types; Senepol and Tuli F1 were similar (P > 0.05) in these respects but appeared to be more competitive in relative growth rate to the Brahman F1 calves in years of greater nutritional stress. Angus females were observed to have a relatively low reproductive rate and high apparent fetal loss at the first (27.5%) and second (19.2%) compared with the third or later pregnancy (11.2%). Angus females that gave birth to Brahman F1 calves had 20.1% lower (P < 0.05) pregnancy rates in the succeeding year than those that had given birth to the other two breeds.     

Ontogenesis of mRNA levels and binding sites of hepatic alpha-adrenoceptors in young cattle

Catecholamines affect hepatic glucose production through (alpha- and beta2-) adrenoceptors (AR). We studied mRNA abundance and binding of hepatic alpha-AR in pre-term (P0) calves and in full-term calves at day 0 (F0), day 5 (F5) and day 159 (F159) to test the hypothesis that gene expression and numbers of hepatic alpha-AR in calves are influenced by age and associated with beta2-AR and selected traits of glucose metabolism. mRNA levels of alpha1- and alpha2-AR were measured by real time RT-PCR. alpha1- and alpha2-AR numbers (maximal binding, Bmax) were determined by saturation binding of (3H)-prazosin and (3H)-RX821002, respectively. alpha1- and alpha2-AR subtypes were evaluated by competitive binding. alpha1A-AR mRNA levels were lower in P0 than in F0, F5 and F159 and alpha(2AD)-AR mRNA levels were lower in F159 than in P0, F0 and F5, while alpha2C-AR mRNA levels increased from P0 and F0 to F5 and F159. Bmax of alpha1-AR increased from P0 to F5, then decreased in F159. Bmax of alpha2-AR decreased from F0 to F159. Bmax of alpha1-AR was positively associated with mRNA levels of alpha1A-AR (r = 0.7), Bmax of beta2-AR (r = 0.5) and negatively with hepatic glycogen content (r = -0.6). Bmax of alpha2-AR was negatively associated with Bmax of beta2-AR (r = -0.4). In conclusion, mRNA levels and binding sites of alpha1- and alpha2-AR in calves exhibited developmental changes and were negatively associated with hepatic glycogen content.     

Effects of providing a water-soluble globulin in drinking water and diet complexity on growth performance of weanling pigs

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of providing a water-soluble globulin in the drinking water on growth performance of weanling pigs. In Exp. 1, 360 weanling pigs (5.0 +/- 1.2 kg; 17 +/- 3 d of age; PIC) were blocked by initial weight and allotted to one of six treatments in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement. Treatments included three diet complexity regimens with or without water-soluble globulin (3 and 1.5% solutions; d 0 to 7 and d 0 to 14, respectively) provided in the drinking water. The 35-d study was divided into three phases (d 0 to 7, 7 to 14, and 14 to 35) with corresponding lysine levels of 1.6, 1.5, and 1.35%. Soybean meal replaced specialty protein and lactose sources to provide three different complexity regimens. From d 0 to 7, a water-soluble globulin x diet complexity interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for average daily gain (ADG) and gain:feed (G/F). Increasing diet complexity increased ADG and G/F for pigs provided water, whereas the medium diet complexity regimen optimized performance for pigs offered water-soluble globulin. From d 0 to 14, pigs fed the two more complex regimens had greater ADG and G/F (P < 0.01) than the pigs fed the least complex regimen. Pigs offered water-soluble globulin had decreased (P < 0.01) ADFI, but increased (P < 0.001) G/F from d 0 to 14. For overall performance (d 0 to 35), increasing diet complexity increased (P < 0.03) ADG and ADFI, whereas water-soluble globulin offered from d 0 to 14 had no effect. In Exp. 2, 360 weanling pigs (5.2 +/- 1.6 kg; 19 +/- 4 d of age) were used in a 21-d growth assay. The trial was arranged as a 2 x 3 factorial with pigs fed the low- or medium-complexity diets (Exp. 1) with water or a 3% solution of water-soluble globulin offered for 4 or 8 d after weaning. From d 0 to 4, pigs offered water-soluble globulin had increased (P < 0.001) ADG and G/F compared with pigs provided water, whereas from d 4 to 8, pigs provided water had increased (P < 0.05) ADG and G/F compared with pigs offered water-soluble globulin. Pigs fed the medium-complexity diet had increased ADG and G/F (d 4 to 8 and d 8 to 12) compared with pigs fed the low-complexity diet. From d 0 to 8 and d 0 to 21, pigs provided water-soluble globulin for 4 or 8 d after weaning had improved G/F compared with pigs provided water. Results demonstrate that providing water-soluble globulin through the water source of weanling pigs improves ADG and G/F immediately after weaning.     

Replacement effects of Panicum maximum with Ficus polita on performance of West African dwarf goats

The replacement value of Ficus polita for Panicum maximum was evaluated on 32 female post‐weaned West African dwarfs goats. Ficus polita was fed with P. maximum at different proportions of 0:90 (F. polita:P. maximum), 30:60, 60:30 and 90:0 constituting diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Each diet was supplemented with 10% cassava peels. Dry matter intake per kg metabolic weight of goats was not significantly (p > 0.05) influenced by the dietary treatments. However, crude protein intake per kg metabolic weight was higher (p < 0.05) in animals fed 60% and 90%F. polita than those fed sole P. maximum diet. Daily weight gain of goats fed diet 3 (60%F. polita) was higher (p < 0.05) (27.3 g) than those fed diets 4 (18.9 g), 2 (20.8 g) and the control (6.6 g). Dry matter (DM), organic matter, crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre digestibilities were higher (p < 0.05) in goats fed 60%F. polita than those fed other diets, except for DM digestibility which was statistically similar to diets 2 and 4 but higher than those fed diet 1 without F. polita. Organic matter and CP digestibility were highest (72.0 and 65.7% respectively) in animals fed 60%F. polita. Nitrogen retention of goats fed 60%F. polita (diet 3) was higher (p < 0.05) than that obtained with other diets. The results suggest that feeding combination of F. polita and P. maximum at ratio 60:30 respectively has associative effects that can enhance growth rate, feed intake, nutrients digestibility and nitrogen utilization for goat production during dry season in the tropics.     

Ontogeny of mRNA abundance of nuclear receptors and nuclear receptor target genes in young cattle

After birth the development of appropriate detoxification mechanisms is important. Nuclear receptors (NR), such as constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), pregnane X receptor (PXR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARalpha), retinoid receptors (RAR, RXR), and NR target genes are involved in the detoxification of exogenous and endogenous substances. We quantified abundances of hepatic mRNA of NR and several NR target genes (cytochromes, CYP; cytochrome P450 reductase, CPR; UDP-glucuronosyl transferase, UDP) in calves at different ages. Gene expression was quantified by real-time RT-PCR. Abundance of mRNA of CAR and PXR increased from low levels at birth in pre-term calves (P0) and full-term calves (F0) to higher levels in 5-day-old calves (F5) and in 159-day-old veal calves (F159), whereas mRNA levels of PPARalpha did not exhibit significant ontogenetic changes. RARbeta mRNA levels were higher in F5 and F159 than in F0, whereas no age differences were observed for RARalpha levels. Levels of RXRalpha and RXRbeta mRNA were lower in F5 than in P0 and F0. Abundance of CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 increased from low levels in P0 and F0 to higher levels in F5 and to highest levels in F159. Abundance of CPR was transiently decreased in F0 and F5 calves. Levels of UGT1A1 mRNA increased from low levels in P0 and F0 to maximal level in F5 and F159. In conclusion, mRNA levels of NR and NR target genes exhibited ontogenetic changes that are likely of importance for handling of xeno- and endobiotics with increasing age.     

Effects of Low Crude Protein Level Diet Based on Corn-Peanut Meal on Growth Performance and Nitrogen Utilization of Chinese Yellow Chickens at 1 to 21 Days of Age北大核心CSCD

本试验旨在研究基于玉米-花生仁饼型低粗蛋白质(CP)水平饲粮对1~21日龄黄羽肉鸡生长性能和氮利用率的影响。选取1日龄快速型岭南黄羽肉鸡1920只(公母各占1/2),公、母鸡各按体重一致原则随机分为4组(每组6个重复,每个重复40只)。4个组的饲粮CP水平分别为22.5%、21.5%、20.5%和19.5%。试验期21 d。结果表明:1)饲粮不同水平CP和性别对21日龄肉鸡末重和1~21日龄平均日增重(ADG)均有显著影响(P<0.05)且具有显著交互作用(P<0.05);22.5%CP组和21.5%CP组ADG均显著高于20.5%CP组和19.5%CP组(P<0.05),饲粮CP水平对肉鸡ADG的影响具有显著线性效应(P<0.05)。22.5%CP组公鸡ADG最高,显著高于其他3个CP水平组(P<0.05),21.5%CP组公鸡ADG也显著高于20.5%CP组和19.5%CP组(P<0.05);22.5%CP组和21.5%CP组母鸡ADG均显著高于19.5%CP组(P<0.05)。2)饲粮不同水平CP对肉鸡料重比(F/G)有显著影响(P<0.05)且具有显著的线性效应(P<0.05);22.5%CP组F/G最低,显著低于其他3个水平CP组(P<0.05);21.5%CP组F/G显著低于19.5%CP组(P<0.05)。3)饲粮不同水平CP均对肉鸡氮利用率有显著影响(P<0.05)。21.5%CP组肉鸡氮利用率最高,显著高于其他3个水平CP组(P<0.05),19.5%CP组氮利用率也显著高于20.5%CP组(P<0.05)。由此可见,以玉米-花生仁饼为基础饲粮,低CP水平饲粮中尽管补充添加了晶体氨基酸,但是还是会影响公鸡生长。1~21日龄快速型岭南黄羽肉鸡母鸡饲粮CP水平可以降低1~2个百分点。建议将公、母鸡分开饲养,以实现对其营养的精准调控,提高氮利用率,降低氮排放。     

粗酶制剂对雏鹅生长的影响

分别选用 2 4只 (试验 1 )和 1 8只 (试验 2 )的 7日龄雏鹅 ,均随机分成对照组和试验组。饲以大麦 (占 45 % )基础日粮 ,试验组添加0 1 %的Biokyowa粗酶制剂。试验期分别为 7～ 60日龄和 7～ 2 1日龄。结果 :在试验 1和 2中 ,粗酶制剂使 7～ 2 1日龄阶段鹅增重分别较对照组高2 4 2 5 % (P <0 0 1 )和 2 2 50 % (P <0 0 1 ) ,料重比分别下降 7 2 9%和 7 2 1 %。试验 1在 2 1～ 2 8日龄和 2 8～ 35日龄增重分别较对照组高 1 8 59%(P <0 0 1 )和 1 9 62 % (P<0 0 1 ) ,采食量增加 ,料重比有所下降。雏鹅每周的相对生长速率随年龄的增长而呈下降趋势。酶制剂组在 7～ 1 4日龄和 1 4～ 2 1日龄段的相对生长速率明显高于对照组 ,在试验 1中 ,2 1日龄后酶制剂组与对照组的生长速率无显著差异。以上结果表明 :粗酶制剂通过改善雏鹅对大麦日粮的消化 ,提高机体对饲料的转化效率 ,从而促进其生长     

Effect of starter feeding program on growth performance and gains of body components from weaning to market weight in swine

Three experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that different starter feeding programs (High, high quality; Low, low quality) will affect growth performance and body composition of pigs from weaning to market weight and that this effect may be influenced by gender (barrows or gilts) and breed (F, Yorkshire-Duroc x Hampshire; P, PIC Camborough 15 x PIC line 405). In Exp. 1, 21 +/- 4-d-weaned F pigs (n = 90) were used in a 2 (High or Low) x 2 (barrows or gilts) factorial design. In Exp. 2, 21 +/- 3-d-weaned pigs (n = 184) were used in a 2 (F or P) x 2 (High or Low) x 2 (barrows or gilts) factorial design. In Exp. 3, 21 F pigs from each gender and feeding program treatment were killed at d 0, 3, 7, 14, 42, 82, or 152 postweaning for evaluating body composition. Two starter feeding programs (High or Low) were applied to pigs for 6 wk postweaning. Pigs from both High and Low treatments were provided the same corn-soybean meal-based diets for the growing and finishing periods. Although the ADG of all pigs receiving the High treatment during the early starter period were higher (P < .01) than those of the Low, the terminal BW of F barrows were similar between High and Low (Exp. 1 and 2) and those of gilts were similar between High and Low (Exp. 2) (P > .80). However, the BW of P pigs receiving the High treatment, regardless of gender, tended to be heavier than those receiving the Low (Exp. 2) and F barrows receiving the High treatment tended to be heavier than those receiving the Low (Exp. 1). For the first 7 d postweaning, the High-fed pigs gained more protein (P < .05) and lost less fat (P < .05) than Low-fed pigs. During the growing-finishing period, the Low-fed pigs exhibited compensatory protein gain and achieved a body protein content similar (P < .60) to High-fed pigs by termination. Protein gains from weaning to termination between High- and Low-fed pigs were not different in Exp. 2 and 3. The protein gain of gilts was higher (P < .05) than that of barrows. Similarly, fat gain within genders was not affected by starter feeding program. Fat gain of gilts, however, was lower (P < .08) than that of barrows in Exp. 3. In conclusion, the nutritional quality of the starter feeding program affected growth performance immediately after weaning but did not affect protein gain over the entire production period.     

Effect of phosphorylated mannans and pharmacological additions of zinc oxide on growth and immunocompetence of weanling pigs

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of phosphorylated mannans (MAN) and pharmacological levels of ZnO on performance and immunity when added to nursery pig diets. Pigs (216 in each experiment), averaging 19 d of age and 6.2, 4.6, and 5.6 kg of BW in Exp. 1, 2, and 3, respectively, were blocked by BW in each experiment, and penned in groups of six. A lymphocyte blastogenesis assay was performed in each experiment to measure in vitro lymphocyte proliferation response. In Exp. 1, diets were arranged as a 2 x 2 factorial with two levels of Zn (200 and 2,500 ppm) and two levels of MAN (0 and 0.3% from d 0 to 10, and 0 and 0.2% from d 10 to 38). Zinc oxide increased (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, and G:F from d 0 to 10, and ADG and ADFI from d 10 to 24. In Exp. 2, diets were arranged as a 2 x 3 factorial with two levels of Zn (200 and 2,500 ppm) and three levels of MAN (0, 0.2, and 0.3%). Pigs fed 2,500 ppm Zn from d 0 to 10 had greater (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, and G:F than pigs fed 200 ppm Zn. From d 10 to 24, ADG was similar when pigs were fed 200 ppm Zn, regardless of MAN supplementation; however, ADG increased (P < 0.05) when 0.2% MAN was added to dietscontaining 2,500 ppm Zn (MAN x Zn interaction, P < 0.05). In Exp. 3, diets were arranged as a 2 x 3 factorial with two levels of MAN (0 and 0.3%) and three levels of Zn (200, 500, and 2,500 ppm). Zinc was maintained at 200 ppm from d 21 to 35, so only two dietary treatments (0 and 0.3% MAN) were fed during this period. Average daily gain was greater (P < 0.05) from d 7 to 21 when pigs were fed 2,500 ppm Zn compared with pigs fed 200 or 500 ppm Zn. The addition of MAN improved (P < 0.05) G:F from d 7 to 21 and d 0 to 35. Lymphocyte proliferation of unstimulated cells and phytohemagglutinin-stimulated cells was decreased (P < 0.05) in cells isolated from pigs fed MAN compared with cells isolated from pigs fed diets without MAN. Lymphocyte proliferation of pokeweed mitogen-stimulated cells isolated from pigs fed MAN was less (P < 0.05) than for pigs fed diets devoid of MAN when diets contained 200 ppm Zn; however, MAN had no effect on lymphocyte proliferation when the diet contained 500 or 2,500 ppm Zn (MAN x Zn interaction, P < 0.05). Although the magnitude of response to MAN was not equivalent to that of pharmacological concentrations of Zn, MAN mayimprove growth response when pharmacological Zn levels are restricted.