Sources of organic trace minerals in diets for weaned piglets

Gabriela De Mello,Anália Maria Ribeiro Da Silva,Dirlei Antonio Berto,Messias Alves Da Trindade Neto,Lúcio Vilela Carneiro Girão,Cássio Cordeiro Ensá Junqueira Villela,Vivian Lo Tierzo,Regina Maria Nascimento Augusto

doi:10.1590/s1516-35982012000800010

Abstract

One hundred and twenty six piglets from a commercial genetic strain weaned at 21 days of age (6.11±0.42 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of supplementation levels of organic sources of trace minerals in the diets of weaned piglets on performance, occurrence of diarrhea, excretion of copper and zinc in the feces, and hematological parameters. A completely randomized block design was adopted, composed of six treatments (diets containing 100% of inorganic trace minerals premix at 3.00 kg/T; diets containing 0, 25, 50, 75 or 100% of organic trace minerals premix, equivalent to 0; 0.75; 1.50; 2.25 or 3.00 kg/T, respectively), seven replicates and three animals per plot. During the experimental period (from 21 to 63 days of age), the increasing levels of organic trace minerals premix in the diets determined a quadratic effect on daily weight gain (DWG), feed conversion (FC), percentage of hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), platelets (Pt), and a linear increase of Cu and Zn concentrations in feces. The comparison of means between the treatment with inorganic trace minerals premix and the other treatments showed that piglets fed diets without trace minerals premix had lower values of DWG, Ht, Hb, MCH, MCV, Pt and the worst FC value of piglets fed diets containing 25% of organic trace minerals premix presented lower values of Ht and Hb, in comparison with those fed diets with 100% of inorganic trace minerals premix. Inorganic trace minerals premix can be substituted by organic trace minerals premix at a lower level of inclusion in diets for weaned piglets.

Highlights

Material and MethodsThe variations in the bioavailability of minerals in the sources, the actions of synergism or antagonism existing between minerals and environmental issues have drawn the interest of researchers in alternatives that result in lower excretion by the animals (Muniz, 2007).Excessive minerals in the diet are not processed by the organism of the animal, so they are excreted in feces and urine, causing pollution to the environment.Mineral elements can be provided to pigs through saline inorganic and organic methods, concerning the latter, due to a higher offer in the animal nutrition market and a deepening of research studies about the participation of trace minerals in general performance and animal health, its use is increasing.the objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the effects of supplementation levels of trace minerals organic sources (Fe, Cu, Mn, Se and Zn) in the diets under performance, occurrence of diarrhea, excretion of copper and zinc in feces and hematological parameters of weaned piglets.The trial was conducted at Universidade Estadual de São Paulo – UNESP, in nursery facilities of the Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, in Botucatu, Brazil.One hundred and twenty-six commercial hybrid (barrows and females) piglets weaned at 21 days of age with live weight of 6.11 kg±0.42 were used
One hundred and twenty six piglets from a commercial genetic strain weaned at 21 days of age (6.11±0.42 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of supplementation levels of organic sources of trace minerals in the diets of weaned piglets on performance, occurrence of diarrhea, excretion of copper and zinc in the feces, and hematological parameters
During the experimental period, the increasing levels of organic trace minerals premix in the diets determined a quadratic effect on daily weight gain (DWG), feed conversion (FC), percentage of hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), platelets (Pt), and a linear increase of Cu and Zn concentrations in feces

Summary

Introduction

Material and MethodsThe variations in the bioavailability of minerals in the sources, the actions of synergism or antagonism existing between minerals and environmental issues have drawn the interest of researchers in alternatives that result in lower excretion by the animals (Muniz, 2007).Excessive minerals in the diet are not processed by the organism of the animal, so they are excreted in feces and urine, causing pollution to the environment.Mineral elements can be provided to pigs through saline inorganic and organic methods, concerning the latter, due to a higher offer in the animal nutrition market and a deepening of research studies about the participation of trace minerals in general performance and animal health, its use is increasing.the objective of the present investigation was to evaluate the effects of supplementation levels of trace minerals organic sources (Fe, Cu, Mn, Se and Zn) in the diets under performance, occurrence of diarrhea, excretion of copper and zinc in feces and hematological parameters of weaned piglets.The trial was conducted at Universidade Estadual de São Paulo – UNESP, in nursery facilities of the Escola de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, in Botucatu, Brazil.One hundred and twenty-six commercial hybrid (barrows and females) piglets weaned at 21 days of age with live weight of 6.11 kg±0.42 were used.

Results

Conclusion