Abstract
Simple SummaryThe post-weaning period is one of the most critical phases in a pig’s life, when trace mineral requirements increase because of the inadequate absorptive capacity of the intestine and reduced feed intake. Mineral bioavailability can be increased by using more available feed additives or the reduction of dietary antinutrients, such as phytates or fibres, in pig nutrition. Therefore, our study was focused on improving the absorption of trace elements, mainly zinc, from the small intestine of piglets using more efficient dietary sources, such as an organic form of zinc and potato fibre.The study investigated the effect of dietary zinc glycine chelate and potato fibre on the absorption and utilisation of Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn; the activity of Zn-containing enzymes (superoxide dismutase, SOD; alkaline phosphatase, ALP); and zinc transporter concentrations (metalothionein1, MT1; zinc transporter1, ZnT1) in tissues, with a special emphasis on the small intestine. Twenty-four barrows (Danbred × Duroc) were randomly allotted to four diets (supplemented with 10 g/kg of crude fibre and 120 mg Zn/kg) that consisted of cellulose and either zinc sulphate (C) or zinc glycinate (ZnGly), or contained potato fibre supplemented with ZnSO4 (PF) or ZnGly (PF + ZnGly). Feeding PF can influence the Zn absorption in the small intestine due to reduced zinc transporters MT1 and ZnT1 in the jejunum. The activity of antioxidant enzyme SOD and liver ZnT1, and duodenal iron concentrations were increased in the PF treatments. Dietary ZnGly did not significantly influence the Zn distribution, but it may alter the absorption of Fe and Mn. Given the elevated content of thiol groups and the Zn/Cu ratio in plasma, as well as the altered SOD activity and MT content in the tissues, we can conclude that feeding PF and ZnGly can influence the mineral and antioxidant status of growing piglets. However, further research is needed in order to elucidate the effect of both dietary sources on the transport systems of other minerals in enterocytes.
Highlights
Trace mineral requirements increase in young piglets, mainly after weaning
Since zinc transporter 1 (ZnT1, SLC301A) and metallothionein 1 (MT1) are responsible for the amount of Zn released into the portal circulation for systemic distribution, we investigated the concentrations of these Zn transporters in the small intestine segments of piglets
Regulation of Zn absorption or uptake is achieved by the transporter ZIP4, situated in the apical membrane of intestinal epithelial cells, which transports Zn ions into the cytoplasm, though it has been suggested that Zn absorption from zinc glycinate (ZnGly) only partly depends on ZIP4 [22]
Summary
Trace mineral requirements increase in young piglets, mainly after weaning. Upon weaning, the absorptive capacity of a piglet’s intestine is reduced due to several principal factors, such as changes in the villus structure, an inadequate ability to secrete acid and digestive enzyme levels [1].the diets of early weaning pigs should provide a higher content of trace minerals and mainly highly digestive feed components, while taking their limited feed intake into consideration.the immunity or resistance to disease of piglets at this time are additional problems. Trace mineral requirements increase in young piglets, mainly after weaning. The absorptive capacity of a piglet’s intestine is reduced due to several principal factors, such as changes in the villus structure, an inadequate ability to secrete acid and digestive enzyme levels [1]. The diets of early weaning pigs should provide a higher content of trace minerals and mainly highly digestive feed components, while taking their limited feed intake into consideration. The immunity or resistance to disease of piglets at this time are additional problems. As the second most abundant essential trace element, performs multifarious physiological roles and, as Animals 2019, 9, 497; doi:10.3390/ani9080497 www.mdpi.com/journal/animals. Zinc deficiency may result in a reduced feed intake and growth of pigs, parakeratosis, alopecia, thymus atrophy and impaired immune functions [3]
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