Abstract
This study compared different dietary zinc oxide (ZnO) levels on zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) metabolism in weaned pigs. One hundred twenty weaned piglets (7.96 ± 1.17 kg; 21 d of age) were used in a completely randomized 3 × 4 factorial design composed with three levels of dietary ZnO at 100 (100Zn), 1,000 (1,000Zn), or 3,000 mg/kg (3,000Zn) and four ages at slaughter at 21 (day 21), 23 (day 23), 35 (day 35), and 42 d (day 42). Dietary Cu levels were constant at 130 mg/kg. Serum, jejunum, liver, and kidney levels of Zn and Cu as well as mRNA abundance of genes related to Zn and Cu metabolism were analyzed. Zinc levels were greatest in 3,000Zn piglets from day 35 in all tissues (P ≤ 0.01). In 3,000Zn piglets, mRNA expression of ZIP4 was reduced in jejunum whereas ZnT1 and MT3 were stimulated in jejunum and liver and MT1 in kidney (P ≤ 0.04) from day 35. Copper levels were greatest in jejunum (P = 0.06) and kidney (P ≤ 0.01; days 35 and 42 only) and lowest in liver and serum (P ≤ 0.01) of 3,000Zn piglets. In conclusion, the treatment containing 3,000 mg ZnO/kg triggered Zn homeostatic mechanisms in weaned pigs and impaired Cu metabolism through high enterocyte and kidney Cu sequestration.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
