Growth and intestinal morphology of pigs from sows fed two zinc sources during gestation and lactation

An experiment was conducted to compare the effects of organic (Zn AA complex, ZnAA) and inorganic Zn (ZnSO4) sources on sows and their progeny during gestation and lactation and on the pigs during the nursery period. The dietary treatments were 1) a corn-soybean meal diet with 100 ppm Zn from ZnSO4 (control); 2) diet 1 + 100 ppm additional Zn from ZnSO4; and 3) diet 1 + 100 ppm additional Zn from ZnAA. Dietary additions were on an as-fed basis. Thirty-one primaparous and multiparous sows were allotted to the treatment diet beginning on d 15 of gestation and continuing through lactation. At weaning (d 17 of age), 202 pigs (63, 55, and 84 pigs for treatments 1 to 3, respectively) were allotted to the same dietary treatment as their dam. The pigs were fed a 3-phase diet regimen during the nursery period: d 0 to 7 (phase I); d 7 to 21 (phase II); and d 21 to 28 (phase III). At weaning and at the end of phase III, 1 gilt per replicate was killed, and the left front foot, liver, pancreas, and entire small intestine were removed. Diet had no effect (P > 0.10) on any response during gestation. During lactation, there was an increase (P < 0.10) in litter birth weight in sows fed ZnAA compared with those fed the control or ZnSO4 diets. The sows fed ZnAA nursed more pigs (P < 0.10) than sows fed the ZnSO4 diet, and they weaned more pigs (P < 0.05) than sows fed the control diet. Jejunal villus height of the weaned pigs from sows fed ZnSO4 was increased (P < 0.05) compared with those from the sows fed the control diet. During the nursery period, growth performance was not affected (P > 0.10) by diet. Pigs fed ZnSO4 had greater duodenal villus width (P < 0.05) than those fed ZnAA, and pigs fed ZnSO4 or the control diet had greater ileal villus width (P < 0.05) than those fed ZnAA. Pigs fed ZnSO4 or ZnAA had more (P < 0.05) bone Zn than those fed the control diet. Liver Zn concentration was greatest in pigs fed ZnSO4, followed by those fed ZnAA, and then by those fed the control diet (P < 0.05). Pancreas Zn was increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed ZnSO4 compared with those fed the control diet. These results suggest that 100 ppm Zn in trace mineral premixes provides adequate Zn for optimal growth performance of nursery pigs, but that 100 ppm additional Zn from ZnAA in sow diets may increase pigs born and weaned per litter.     

Zinc-amino acid complexes for swine

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of sources of dietary zinc on gain, feed conversion and blood and bone traits of swine. In the first experiment 96 pigs were used in a 28-d study. The pigs were fed diets with no supplemental Zn or with either 9 or 12 ppm supplemental Zn from zinc sulfate (ZnSO4), zinc methionine (ZnMet) or zinc methionine with picolinic acid (ZnMet w/PA), each with or without 5% added corn oil. There were differences (P less than .05) in average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) between the pigs fed the two organic Zn sources, with those fed ZnMet w/PA showing the better gains and feed conversion. However, neither organic Zn source resulted in pig performance that was different from either the diet with no supplemental Zn or the diets supplemented with Zn from ZnSO4. In the second experiment the same dietary Zn sources and treatments were fed as in Exp. 1 except that corn oil was deleted as a variable. No differences in ADG, ADFI, feed/gain (F/G) or in changes in serum Zn or Cu were observed among treatments during either the 21-d nursery or the 56-d growing periods. During the subsequent 56-d finishing period ADG and ADFI were greater (P less than .01) for pigs fed the Zn-supplemented diets than for those fed the diets without supplemental Zn. There were no differences among treatments in F/G during the finishing period. Zn content of bone ash was lower (P less than .01) in the non-Zn-supplemented pigs. These data suggest that the Zn sources used are of similar biological value and do not support the theory that picolinic acid aids Zn absorption.     

Comparison of growth performance and zinc absorption, retention, and excretion in weanling pigs fed diets supplemented with zinc-polysaccharide or zinc oxide

Fifty weanling crossbred pigs averaging 6.2 kg of initial BW and 21 d of age were used in a 5-wk experiment to evaluate lower dietary concentrations of an organic source of Zn as a Zn-polysaccharide (Zn-PS) compared with 2,000 ppm of inorganic Zn as ZnO, with growth performance, plasma concentrations of Zn and Cu, and Zn and Cu balance as the criteria. The pigs were fed individually in metabolism crates, and Zn and Cu balance were measured on individual pigs (10 replications per treatment) from d 22 to 26. The basal Phase 1 (d 0 to 14) and Phase 2 (d 14 to 35) diets contained 125 or 100 ppm added Zn as Zn sulfate, respectively, and met all nutrient requirements. Treatments were the basal Phase 1 and 2 diets supplemented with 0, 150, 300, or 450 ppm of Zn as Zn-PS or 2,000 ppm Zn as ZnO. Blood samples were collected from all pigs on d 7, 14, and 28. For pigs fed increasing Zn as Zn-PS, there were no linear or quadratic responses (P > or = 0.16) in ADG, ADFI, or G:F for Phases 1 or 2 or overall. For single degree of freedom treatment comparisons, Phase 1 ADG and G:F were greater (P < or = 0.05) for pigs fed 2,000 ppm Zn as ZnO than for pigs fed the control diet or the diet containing 150 ppm Zn as Zn-PS. For Phase 2 and overall, ADG and G:F for pigs fed the diets containing 300 or 450 ppm of Zn as Zn-PS did not differ (P > or = 0.29) from pigs fed the diet containing ZnO. Pigs fed the diet containing ZnO also had a greater Phase 2 (P < or = 0.10) and overall (P < or = 0.05) ADG and G:F than pigs fed the control diet. There were no differences (P > or = 0.46) in ADFI for any planned comparison. There were linear increases (P < 0.001) in the Zn excreted (mg/d) with increasing dietary Zn-PS. Pigs fed the diet containing ZnO absorbed, retained, and excreted more Zn (P < 0.001) than pigs fed the control diet or any of the diets containing Zn-PS. In conclusion, Phase 2 and overall growth performance by pigs fed diets containing 300 or 450 ppm Zn as Zn-PS did not differ from that of pigs fed 2,000 ppm Zn as ZnO; however, feeding 300 ppm Zn as Zn-PS decreased Zn excretion by 76% compared with feeding 2,000 ppm Zn as ZnO.     

Effect of feeding organic and inorganic sources of additional zinc on growth performance and zinc balance in nursery pigs

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding pharmacological concentrations of zinc (Zn), from organic and inorganic sources, on growth performance, plasma and tissue Zn accumulation, and Zn excretion of nursery pigs. Blood from all pigs was collected for plasma Zn determination on d 14 in Exp. 1, d 7 and 28 in Exp. 2, and d 15 in Exp. 3. In Exp. 1, 2, and 3, 90, 100, and 15 crossbred (GenetiPorc USA, LLC, Morris, MN) pigs were weaned at 24+/-0.5, 18, and 17 d of age (6.45, 5.47, and 5.3 kg avg initial BW), respectively, and allotted to dietary treatment based on initial weight, sex, and litter. A Phase 1 nursery diet was fed as crumbles from d 0 to 14 in Exp. 1, 2, and 3, and a Phase 2 nursery diet was fed as pellets from d 15 to 28 in Exp. 1 and 2. The Phase 1 and Phase 2 basal diets were supplemented with 100 ppm Zn as ZnSO4. Both dietary phases contained the same five dietary treatments: 150 ppm additional Zn as zinc oxide (ZnO), 500 ppm added Zn as ZnO, 500 ppm added Zn as a Zn-amino acid complex (Availa-Zn 100), 500 ppm added Zn as a Zn-polysaccharide complex (SQM-Zn), and 3,000 ppm added Zn as ZnO. Overall in Exp. 1, pigs fed 500 ppm added Zn as SQM-Zn or 3,000 ppm added Zn as ZnO had greater ADG (P < 0.05) than pigs fed 150 ppm, 500 ppm added Zn as ZnO, or 500 ppm added Zn as Availa-Zn 100 (0.44 and 0.46 kg/d vs 0.35, 0.38, and 0.33 kg/d respectively). Overall in Exp. 2, pigs fed 3,000 ppm added Zn as ZnO had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI than pigs fed any other dietary treatment. On d 14 of Exp. 1 and d 28 of Exp. 2, pigs fed 3,000 ppm added Zn as ZnO had higher (P < 0.05) plasma Zn concentrations than pigs on any other treatment. In Exp. 3, fecal, urinary, and liver Zn concentrations were greatest (P < 0.05) in pigs fed 3,000 ppm added Zn as ZnO. On d 10 to 15 of Exp. 3, pigs fed 3,000 ppm added Zn as ZnO had the most negative Zn balance (P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed the other four dietary Zn treatments. In conclusion, feeding 3,000 ppm added Zn as ZnO improves nursery pig performance; however, under certain nursery conditions the use of 500 ppm added Zn as SQM-Zn may also enhance performance. The major factor affecting nutrient excretion appears to be dietary concentration, independent of source.     

Supplementation of diets for lactating sows with zinc amino acid complex and gastric nutriment‐intubation of suckling pigs with zinc methionine on mineral status,intestinal morphology and bacterial translocation in lipopolysaccharide‐challenged weaned pigs

Sixty‐four pigs from 16 sows were used to evaluate addition of zinc amino acid complex (ZnAA) to lactating sows and gastric nutriment‐intubation of zinc methionine (ZnMet) to suckling pigs on mineral status, intestinal morphology and bacterial translocation after weaning. Sows were fed a barley‐based diet supplying 120 ppm zinc (Zn; control) or the control diet supplemented with 240 ppm Zn from ZnAA. At birth, day‐10 and day‐21 (weaning) of age, pigs from each litter were nutriment‐intubated with 5 ml of an electrolyte solution without or with 40 mg Zn from ZnMet. At weaning, 24 h prior to the collection of small and large intestinal lymph nodes and sections of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum, the pigs received an intramuscular injection of saline without or with 150 μg/kg body weight of Escherichia coli O26:B6 lipopolysaccharide (LPS). With the exception of a tendency (p = 0.09) for lower serum concentration of copper in pigs at weaning from ZnAA‐supplemented sows, there were no differences (p > 0.1) than for pigs from control‐fed sows for mineral status or intestinal morphology. Nutriment‐intubation of ZnMet increased serum (p = 0.001) and liver (p = 0.003) Zn concentrations, number of goblet cells per 250 μm length of jejunal villous epithelium (p = 0.001) and tended (p = 0.06) to enhance jejunum mucosa thickness. Interactive effects (p < 0.05) for higher jejunal villi height and villi:crypt ratio and increased ileal goblet cell counts were apparent for pigs from ZnAA‐supplemented sows that also received nutriment‐intubation of ZnMet. Challenge with LPS increased (p = 0.05) ileal villous width. Nutriment‐intubation of ZnMet decreased (p = 0.05) anaerobic bacteria colony forming unit counts in the large intestinal mesenteric lymph nodes. In conclusion, nutriment‐intubation of ZnMet increased serum and liver tissue concentrations of Zn and resulted in limited improvement to intestinal morphology of weaned pigs.     

Effects of replacing pharmacological levels of dietary zinc oxide with lower dietary levels of various organic zinc sources for weanling pigs

Two 28-d randomized complete block design experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of concentrations and sources of Zn on growth performance of nursery pigs. Seven stations participated in Exp. 1, which evaluated the efficacy of replacing 2,500 ppm of Zn from ZnO with 125, 250, or 500 ppm of Zn from Zn methionine. A control diet with 125 ppm of supplemental Zn was included at all stations. A total of 615 pigs were used in 26 replicates. Average weaning age was 20.6 d and the average initial BW was 6.3 kg. There were no differences in any growth response among the three supplemental Zn methionine levels fed in Exp. 1. Zinc supplementation from Zn methionine improved ADG compared with the control during all phases (P < 0.05), due primarily to an increase in ADFI. Pigs fed 2,500 ppm of Zn from ZnO gained faster (P < 0.01) than those fed the control diet during all phases, and faster (P < 0.05) than those fed supplemental Zn from Zn methionine for the 28-d experiment. Differences in gain were again due mainly to differences in feed intake. A second experiment compared five sources of supplemental organic Zn (500 ppm of Zn) with 500 and 2,000 ppm supplemental Zn from ZnO and a control (140 ppm total Zn). Six stations used a total of 624 pigs, with an average weaning age of 20.4 d and averaging 6.2 kg BW in 15 replicates. Pigs fed 2,000 ppm of Zn from ZnO gained faster (P < 0.05) than pigs fed the control or any of the 500 ppm of Zn treatments (ZnO or organic Zn). Pigs fed the 2,000 ppm of Zn from ZnO also consumed more feed than those receiving 500 ppm of Zn from ZnO or from any of the organic Zn sources (P < 0.05). Organic sources of Zn did not improve gain, feed intake, or feed efficiency beyond that achieved with the control diet. Supplemental Zn at a concentration of 500 ppm, whether in the form of the oxide or in an organic form, was not as efficacious for improved ADG as 2,000 to 2,500 ppm of Zn from ZnO.     

Evaluation of various inclusion rates of organic zinc either as polysaccharide or proteinate complex on the growth performance, plasma, and excretion of nursery pigs

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding dietary concentrations of organic Zn as a Zn-polysaccharide (Quali Tech Inc., Chaska, MN) or as a Zn-proteinate (Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) on growth performance, plasma concentrations, and excretion in nursery pigs compared with pigs fed 2,000 ppm inorganic Zn as ZnO. Experiments 1 and 2 were growth experiments, and Exp. 3 was a balance experiment, and they used 306, 98, and 20 crossbred pigs, respectively. Initially, pigs averaged 17 d of age and 5.2 kg BW in Exp. 1 and 2, and 31 d of age and 11.2 kg BW in Exp. 3. The basal diets for Exp. 1, 2, and 3 contained 165 ppm supplemental Zn as ZnSO4 (as-fed basis), which was supplied from the premix. In Exp. 1, the Phase 1 (d 1 to 14) basal diet was supplemented with 0, 125, 250, 375, or 500 ppm Zn as Zn-polysaccharide (as-fed basis) or 2,000 ppm Zn as ZnO (as-fed basis). All pigs were then fed the same Phase 2 (d 15 to 28) and Phase 3 (d 29 to 42) diets. In Exp. 2, both the Phase 1 and 2 basal diets were supplemented with 0, 50, 100, 200, 400, or 800 ppm Zn as Zn-proteinate (as-fed basis) or 2,000 ppm Zn as ZnO (as-fed basis). For the 28-d Exp. 3, the Phase 2 basal diet was supplemented with 0, 200, or 400 ppm Zn as Zn-proteinate, or 2,000 ppm Zn as ZnO (as-fed basis). All diets were fed in meal form. In Exp. 1, 2, and 3, pigs were bled on d 14, 28, or 27, respectively, to determine plasma Zn and Cu concentrations. For all three experiments, there were no overall treatment differences in ADG, ADFI, or G:F (P = 0.15, 0.22, and 0.45, respectively). However, during wk 1 of Exp. 1, pigs fed 2,000 ppm Zn as ZnO had greater (P < or = 0.05) ADG and G:F than pigs fed the basal diet. In all experiments, pigs fed a diet containing 2,000 ppm Zn as ZnO had higher plasma Zn concentrations (P < 0.10) than pigs fed the basal diet. In Exp. 1 and 3, pigs fed 2,000 ppm Zn as ZnO had higher fecal Zn concentrations (P < 0.01) than pigs fed the other dietary Zn treatments. In conclusion, organic Zn either as a polysaccharide or a proteinate had no effect on growth performance at lower inclusion rates; however, feeding lower concentrations of organic Zn greatly decreased the amount of Zn excreted.     

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.     

有机锌源对肉鸡生长性能和胫骨软骨症的影响

采用玉米－豆饼型饲粮研究有机锌源对肉鸡生长性能和胫骨软骨症（ＴＤ）的影响。结果表明,有机锌源与硫酸锌对肉鸡生长和饲料采食量均无显著影响,锌的补加提高了胫骨,中趾骨,胰Ｚｎ含量,有机锌源的补加并不影响骨灰含量,胫骨长度,不诱导肉鸡ＴＤ发病率上升。     

Changes in diarrhea,nutrients apparent digestibility,digestive enzyme activities of weaned piglets in response to chitosan‐zinc chelate

A total of 120 weanling barrows weighing 6.11 ± 0.20 kg were randomly allotted to four treatments with three replications (i.e. pen) of ten piglets per replicate. Pigs were received corn‐soybean basal diet (control) or the same basal diet supplemented with the following sources of zinc: (i) 100 mg/kg of Zn as ZnSO₄; (ii) 100 mg/kg of Zn as chitosan‐Zn chelate (CS‐Zn); and (iii) 100 mg/kg of Zn as ZnSO₄ mixed with chitosan (CS + ZnSO₄). The results showed that CS‐Zn could highly improve average daily gain and average daily feed intake than those of ZnSO₄ or CS+ ZnSO₄ (P < 0.05). The pigs fed dietary CS‐Zn had lower diarrhea incidence and higher apparent digestibility of crude protein than those of the pigs fed dietary ZnSO₄ (P < 0.05). The protease activities in duodenal content of the pigs receiving CS‐Zn diets was higher than that of the pigs fed dietary ZnSO₄ or CS + ZnSO₄ (P < 0.05). The amylase activity in duodenal content of the pigs fed dietary CS‐Zn was higher than that of the pigs receiving ZnSO₄ diets or basal diets (P < 0.05). These results indicated that dietary CS‐Zn showed different bioactivities from ZnSO₄ or CS + ZnSO₄ in reducing the incidence of diarrhea, improving activities of digestive enzymes and growth performance of weaned pigs.     

Zinc methionine for ruminants: relative bioavailability of zinc in lambs and effects of growth and performance of growing heifers

Studies were conducted to evaluate zinc methionine (ZnMet) as a source of Zn for ruminants. Experiment 1 compared the availability of Zn in ZnMet and zinc oxide (ZnO) in lambs fed a semi-purified diet deficient in Zn. Based on growth rate and animal performance, plasma Zn and plasma alkaline phosphatase activity, no differences in Zn availability were detected between the two Zn sources. Apparent absorption of Zn also was similar, but Zn retention was higher (P less than .01) in lambs fed ZnMet because of a tendency for lower urinary Zn excretion (P less than .19) in this group. Zinc absorption and retention by lambs were similar for the two Zn sources in Exp. 2 when 20 mg Zn/kg was added to an orchardgrass hay-based diet containing 30 mg Zn/kg. In Exp. 3, lambs were dosed orally with 300 mg of Zn as ZnO or ZnMet, and the increase in plasma Zn following dosing was monitored. The increase in plasma Zn above predosing values was similar at 6 h but was higher at 12 (P less than .10) and 24 h (P less than .05) postdosing in lambs given ZnMet. Thirty-six Hereford x Simmental heifers (271 kg) were used in Exp. 4 to determine the influence of supplementing Zn (25 mg/kg) as ZnO or ZnMet of growth performance and Zn status. Heifers were fed a corn silage-based diet that contained 23.1 mg Zn/kg during the 126-d study. Zinc supplementation to the basal diet increased (P less than .05) gain and feed/gain during the first 56 d, but not for the entire 126-d study.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effect of mannan oligosaccharides and fructan on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, and diarrhea score in weanling pigs

A total of 150 weanling pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with an average BW of 7.22 ± 0.80 kg (21 d of age) were used in a 28-d trial to determine the effects of dietary fructan and mannan oligosaccharides on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, and diarrhea score in weanling pigs. Pigs were allotted randomly to 1 of 5 dietary treatments: 1) negative control (NC), basal diet; 2) positive control (PC), NC + 0.01% apramycin (165 mg/kg); 3) NC + 0.1% fructan (FC); 4) NC + 0.1% mannan oligosaccharide source (MO); and 5) NC + 0.05% fructan + 0.05% mannan oligosaccharide source (FM). There were 3 replications per treatment with 10 pigs per pen (5 barrows and 5 gilts). From d 0 to 14, ADG and ADFI of pigs fed the PC, MO, and FM diets were greater (P < 0.05) than pigs fed the NC diet. From d 15 to 28, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in ADG, ADFI, and G:F. During the overall period (d 0 to 28), pigs fed the MO diet had a greater ADG than pigs fed the NC diet (P < 0.05). Pigs fed the PC and MO diets increased ADFI (P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed the NC diet. However, no differences were detected among dietary treatments in G:F during the overall experimental period. On d 14, the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM and N in pigs fed the PC, MO, and FM diets was greater (P < 0.05) than pigs fed the NC diet. The ATTD of DM increased (P < 0.05) in pigs fed the MO and FM diets compared with pigs fed the FC diet. However, at the end of the experiment, pigs fed the FM diet had a greater (P < 0.05) ATTD of DM compared with pigs fed the NC diet. Additionally, there were no differences in IgG, red blood cells, white blood cells, and lymphocyte counts among dietary treatments on d 0, 14, or 28. The diarrhea score in pigs fed the MO diet was reduced (P < 0.05) compared with pigs fed the NC diet. In conclusion, mannan oligosaccharides have a beneficial effect on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in weanling pigs. Furthermore, mannan oligosaccharides can decrease diarrhea score in weanling pigs.     

Methodology for assessing zinc bioavailability: efficacy estimates for zinc-methionine, zinc sulfate, and zinc oxide.

The bioavailability of zinc-methionine (ZnMET) was compared to that of feed-grade ZnSO4.H2O using three different diets: purified (crystalline amino acid [AA]), semipurified (soy isolate), and complex (corn-soybean [C-SBM]) diet. With the Zn-deficient purified or semipurified diet, weight gain and tibia Zn responded linearly to both ZnSO4.H2O and ZnMET supplementation. Common-intercept, multiple linear regression indicated differences in Zn bioavailability between ZnMET and ZnSO4.H2O for both diets as indicated by bone Zn. With the ZnSO4.H2O standard set at 100%, bioavailability of Zn from ZnMET was 117% (P less than .05) in the AA diet and 177% (P less than .01) in the soy isolate diet. The ZnMET was also compared to ZnSO4.H2O in a C-SBM diet containing 117 mg of Zn/kg. When high levels of Zn were added to this diet (0, 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg of supplemental Zn), consistent tissue Zn responses did not occur beyond the first increment. Addition of lower levels of supplemental Zn (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mg/kg) to a Zn-unsupplemented C-SBM basal diet (45 mg/kg of Zn), however, resulted in a broken-line, two-slope response in tibia Zn for both ZnMET and ZnSO4.H2O. Inflection points occurred at 60 and 54 mg of Zn/kg of diet for ZnSO4.H2O and ZnMET, respectively. The ratio of slopes (ZnMET:ZnSO4.H2O) below the inflection points was 206% (P less than .01), indicating that Zn was considerably more bioavailable in ZnMET than in ZnSO4.H2O for chicks consuming C-SBM diets. When feed-grade ZnO was compared to feed-grade ZnSO4.H2O in chicks consuming C-SBM diets, bone Zn slopes below the respective inflection points indicated that Zn was 61% bioavailable in ZnO relative to ZnSO4.H2O.     

Effects of increasing dietary L-carnitine on growth performance of weanling pigs

Four experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of supplementing graded levels (0 to 100 ppm) of L-carnitine to the diet of weanling pigs on growth performance during a 34- to 38-d experimental period. A fifth experiment was conducted to determine the effects of addition of L-carnitine to diets with or without added soybean oil (SBO) on growth performance. In Exp. 1, 128 pigs (initial BW = 5.5 kg) were allotted to four dietary treatments (six pens per treatment of four to six pigs per pen). Dietary treatments were a control diet containing no added L-carnitine and the control diet with 25, 50, or 100 ppm of added L-carnitine. In Exp. 2, 3, and 4, pigs (4.8 to 5.6 kg of BW) were allotted to five dietary treatments consisting of either a control diet containing no added L-carnitine or the control diet with 25, 50, 75, or 100 ppm of added L-carnitine. All diets in Exp. 1 to 4 contained added soybean oil (4 to 6%). There were seven pens per treatment (four to five pigs per pen) in Exp. 2, whereas Exp. 3 and 4 had five and six pens/treatment (eight pigs per pen), respectively. In general, dietary carnitine additions had only minor effects on growth performance during Phases 1 and 3; however, dietary L-carnitine increased (linear [Exp. 1], quadratic [Exp. 2 to 4], P < 0.03) ADG and gain:feed (G:F) during Phase 2. The improvements in growth performance during Phase 2 were of great enough magnitude that carnitine addition tended to increase ADG (linear, P < 0.10) and improve G:F (quadratic, P < 0.02) for the entire 38-d period. In Exp. 5, 216 weanling pigs (5.8 kg of BW) were allotted (12 pens/treatment of four to five pigs per pen) to four dietary treatments. The four dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial with main effects of added SBO (0 or 5%) and added L-carnitine (0 or 50 ppm). Pigs fed SBO tended (P < 0.07) to grow more slowly and consumed less feed compared with those not fed SBO, but G:F was improved (P < 0.02). The addition of L-carnitine did not affect (P > 0.10) ADG or ADFI; however, it improved (P < 0.03) G:F. Also, the increase in G:F associated with L-carnitine tended to be more pronounced for pigs fed SBO than those not fed SBO (carnitine x SBO, P < 0.10). These results suggest that the addition of 50 to 100 ppm of added L-carnitine to the diet improved growth performance of weanling pigs. In addition, supplemental L-carnitine tended to be more effective when SBO was provided in the diet.     

Activated carbon does not prevent the toxicity of culture material containing fumonisin B1 when fed to weanling piglets

Fumonisins are mycotoxins found primarily in corn and corn products that are produced by Fusarium verticillioides, F. proliferatum, and several other Fusarium species. The toxicity of fumonisin B1 (FB) from culture material with and without activated carbon was evaluated using weanling piglets. Fifty-six weanling pigs were assigned to one of four treatments diets based on BW. The treatment diets were 1) control = corn-soybean basal diet with < 2 ppm FB; 2) AC = control + activated carbon at 1% of the diet, as fed; 3) FB = control + culture material (formulated to contain 30 ppm FB, as-fed basis); and 4) AC + FB = control + activated carbon at 1% of the diet as fed + culture material (formulated to contain 30 ppm FB). A total of four replicates of four pigs per pen for the control and AC treatments and three piglets per pen for the FB and AC + FB treatments were used. Feed and water were offered ad libitum for the duration of the 42-d experiment. Compared with pigs fed the control or AC diets, pigs receiving the two FB-contaminated diets (FB or AC + FB) had lower G:F (P < 0.01), higher serum enzyme activities of gamma-glutamyltransferase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (P < 0.05), and higher concentrations of cholesterol, free sphinganine, sphingosine-1-phosphate, and sphinganine 1-phosphate (P < 0.05). Although animals consuming FB diets showed no signs of respiratory distress, all pigs consuming either the FB or the AC + FB diets had marked pulmonary edema. Lesions were observed in the lungs, heart, and liver of pigs fed the FB or AC + FB diets, and treatment-associated changes also were seen in the pancreas, intestines, spleen, and lymph nodes. No lesions were observed in the brain. In liver, lung, heart, pancreas, spleen, intestines, and lymph nodes, the histopathological effects observed were more severe in the AC + FB group, suggesting that the AC treatment worsened the toxic effects of FB. Additionally, immunological measurements of macrophage function (CD14) were affected (P < 0.05) by the consumption of the FB diets. The consumption of FB diets containing 30 ppm fumonisin B1 from cultured material significantly affected performance, biochemical measurements, and organ pathology in weanling pigs. The addition of activated carbon at the rate of 1% to the diet was not effective in protecting against the detrimental effects of fumonisin consumption.     

Zinc bioavailability in feed-grade sources of zinc

Chick bioassays were used to assess bioavailability of zinc (Zn) from inorganic Zn sources. A soy isolate-dextrose diet containing 13 mg Zn/kg diet was supplemented with feed-grade sources of ZnSO4.H2O (ZnSO4) or ZnO and fed for 2 wk after a 7-d Zn-depletion protest period. Bioavailability of Zn in ZnO relative to ZnSO4 (set at 100%) was determined by multiple regression slope-ratio methodology, using both growth and tibia Zn accumulation in chicks fed graded levels of ZnO and ZnSO4. Linear responses for gain and tibia Zn occurred at dietary Zn levels (ZnSO4.7H2O) between 13 mg/kg (basal) and 33 mg/kg (gain) or 53 mg/kg (total tibia Zn). Therefore, two bioavailability assays were conducted using supplemental Zn levels of 0, 7.5 and 15 mg/kg from each Zn source. When weight gain was regressed on supplemental Zn intake, bioavailability of Zn in ZnO was only 61.2% (P less than .01) that of ZnSO4. When total tibia Zn was regressed on supplemental Zn intake, bioavailability of Zn compared with ZnSO4 (set at 100.0%) was 44.1% (P less than .001) for ZnO. With chicks fed soy-based diets, bioavailability of Zn from ZnO was less than that of ZnSO4.     

Effect of dietary mannan oligosaccharides and(or) pharmacological additions of copper sulfate on growth performance and immunocompetence of weanling and growing/finishing pigs

Two experiments were conducted to determine the efficacy of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) fed at two levels of Cu on growth and feed efficiency of weanling and growing-finishing pigs, as well as the effect on the immunocompetence of weanling pigs. In Exp. 1, 216 barrows (6 kg of BW and 18 d of age) were penned in groups of six (9 pens/treatment). Dietary treatments were arranged as a 2 x 2 factorial consisting of two levels of Cu (basal level or 175 ppm supplemental Cu) with and without MOS (0.2%). Diets were fed from d 0 to 38 after weaning. Blood samples were obtained to determine lymphocyte proliferation in vitro. From d 0 to 10, ADG, ADFI, and gain:feed (G:F) increased when MOS was added to diets containing the basal level of Cu, but decreased when MOS was added to diets containing 175 ppm supplemental Cu (interaction, P < 0.01, P < 0.10, and P < 0.05, respectively). Pigs fed diets containing 175 ppm Cu from d 10 to 24 and d 24 to 38 had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI than those fed the basal level of Cu regardless of MOS addition. Pigs fed diets containing MOS from d 24 to 38 had greater ADG (P < 0.05) and G:F (P < 0.10) than those fed diets devoid of MOS. Lymphocyte proliferation was not altered by dietary treatment. In Exp. 2, 144 pigs were divided into six pigs/pen (six pens/treatment). Dietary treatments were fed throughout the starter (20 to 32 kg BW), grower (32 to 68 kg BW), and finisher (68 to 106 kg BW) phases. Diets consisted of two levels of Cu (basal level or basal diet + 175 ppm in starter and grower diets and 125 ppm in finisher diets) with and without MOS (0.2% in starter, 0.1% in grower, and 0.05% in finisher). Pigs fed supplemental Cu had greater (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F during the starter and grower phases compared to pigs fed the basal level of Cu. During the finisher phase, ADG increased when pigs were fed MOS in diets containing the basal level of Cu, but decreased when MOS was added to diets supplemented with 125 ppm Cu (interaction, P < 0.05). Results from this study indicate the response of weanling pigs fed MOS in phase 1 varied with level of dietary Cu. However, in phase 2 and phase 3, diets containing either MOS or 175 ppm Cu resulted in improved performance. Pharmacological Cu addition improved gain and efficiency during the starter and grower phases in growing-finishing pigs, while ADG response to the addition of MOS during the finisher phase seems to be dependent upon the level of Cu supplementation.     

Growth promotion effects and plasma changes from feeding high dietary concentrations of zinc and copper to weanling pigs (regional study)

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of high dietary intakes of Zn and Cu and their combination on growth performance of weanling pigs with diverse health status and management strategies. Twelve experiment stations cooperated and used a total of 1,356 pigs that averaged 6.55 kg BW and 22.2 d age at weaning. The four dietary treatments, all of which met or exceeded NRC requirements, were 1) control, 2) 3,000 ppm Zn (from Zn oxide), 3) 250 Cu ppm (from Cu sulfate), or 4) 3,000 ppm Zn and 250 ppm Cu. The diets were fed as a complex Phase I diet (1.4% lysine) for 7 d followed by a Phase II diet (1.2% lysine) for 21 d. Chlortetracycline (220 ppm) was added to all diets. Fecal color (1 = yellow to 5 = black) and consistency (1 = very firm to 5 = very watery) were scored daily for 3 wk. At the end of the 28-d study, 412 pigs were bled at five stations, and plasma Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations were determined at one station with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Average daily gain (375, 422, 409, 415 g/d), feed intake (637, 690, 671, 681 g/d), and gain/feed (586, 611, 611, 612 g/kg) were improved (P < .01) by the addition of Zn and(or) Cu. Significant Cu x Zn interactions imply that the responses to Zn and Cu were independent and not additive. There were significant (P < .01) Zn and Cu effects and a Zn x Cu interaction on fecal color (3.17, 3.24, 4.32, 3.57) and consistency (2.39, 2.14, 2.14, 2.13). Dietary additions of Cu and Zn resulted in elevated plasma concentrations of Cu and Zn, respectively. These data indicate that pharmacological additions of 3,000 ppm Zn (oxide) or 250 ppm Cu (sulfate) stimulate growth beyond that derived from intakes of Zn and Cu that meet nutrient requirements. However, the combination of Zn and Cu did not result in an additive growth response.     

Effects of copper sulfate, tri-basic copper chloride, and zinc oxide on weanling pig performance

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of increasing dietary Cu and Zn on weanling pig performance. Diets were fed in 2 phases: phase 1 from d 0 to 14 postweaning and phase 2 from d 14 to 28 in Exp. 1 and 2 and d 14 to 42 in Exp. 3. The trace mineral premix, included in all diets, provided 165 mg/kg of Zn from ZnSO(4) and 16.5 mg/kg of Cu from CuSO(4). In Exp. 1, treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial with main effects of added Cu from tri-basic copper chloride (TBCC; 0 or 150 mg/kg) and added Zn from ZnO (0, 1,500, or 3,000 mg/kg from d 0 to 14 and 0, 1,000, or 2,000 mg/kg from d 14 to 28). No Cu × Zn interactions were observed (P > 0.10). Adding TBCC or Zn increased (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI during each phase. In Exp. 2, treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial with main effects of added Zn from ZnO (0 or 3,000 mg/kg from d 0 to 14 and 0 or 2,000 mg/kg from d 14 to 28) and Cu (control, 125 mg/kg of Cu from TBCC, or 125 mg/kg of Cu from CuSO(4)). No Cu × Zn interactions (P > 0.10) were observed for any performance data. Adding ZnO improved (P < 0.02) ADG and ADFI from d 0 to 14 and overall. From d 0 to 28, supplementing CuSO(4) increased (P < 0.02) ADG, ADFI, and G:F, and TBCC improved (P = 0.006) ADG. In Exp. 3, the 6 dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of added Cu from CuSO(4) (0 or 125 mg/kg) and added Zn from ZnO (0 or 3,000 mg/kg from d 0 to 14 and 0 or 2,000 mg/kg from d 14 to 42). The final 2 treatments were feeding added ZnO alone or in combination with CuSO(4) from d 0 to 14 and adding CuSO(4) from d 14 to 42. Adding ZnO increased (P < 0.04) ADG, ADFI, and G:F from d 0 to 14 and ADG from d 0 to 42. Dietary CuSO(4) increased (P < 0.004) ADG and ADFI from d 14 to 42 and d 0 to 42. From d 28 to 42, a trend for a Cu × Zn interaction was observed (P = 0.06) for ADG. This interaction was reflective of the numeric decrease in ADG for pigs when Cu and Zn were used in combination compared with each used alone. Also, numerical advantages were observed when supplementing Zn from d 0 to 14 and Cu from d 14 to 42 compared with all other Cu and Zn regimens. These 3 experiments show the advantages of including both Cu and Zn in the diet for 28 d postweaning; however, as evident in Exp. 3, when 3,000 mg/kg of Zn was added early and 125 mg/kg of Cu was added late, performance was similar or numerically greater than when both were used for 42 d.     

纳米氧化锌对断奶仔猪生长、腹泻、肠道微生物和通透性的影响

选用108头平均体重为7.2 kg杜×长×大断奶仔猪,随机分成3组,对照组饲喂基础饲粮;氧化锌组在基础饲粮中添加2 000 mg/kg锌(氧化锌);纳米氧化锌组在基础饲粮中添加500 mg/kg锌(纳米氧化锌),试验期14 d。结果表明:与对照组相比,添加500 mg/kg纳米氧化锌和2 000 mg/kg氧化锌分别提高日增重16.20%(P<0.05)和14.94%(P<0.05),提高日采食12.63%(P<0.05)和13.66%(P<0.05),显著降低断奶后7 d和14 d腹泻指数(P<0.05),显著降低血浆D-乳酸和二胺氧化酶活性(P<0.05)。添加500 mg/kg纳米氧化锌显著降低小肠和结肠内容物中梭菌和大肠杆菌数量;添加2 000 mg/kg氧化锌显著降低结肠内容物中梭菌数量。结果提示,断奶仔猪饲粮中添加500 mg/kg锌(纳米氧化锌)可提高仔猪生长性能,降低腹泻率和肠道通透性,改善肠道微生态,其效果与添加2 000 mg/kg锌(氧化锌)相当。