Bioplex Zn Research Articles

198 Evaluation of zinc source and concentration on growth performance of nursery swine

Abstract Trace minerals (TM) supplementation in swine diets can negatively interact with other nutrients. Zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) mutually inhibit their intestinal absorption; thus, limiting their bioavailability. Recent peer-reviewed work has suggested that nursery pigs fed a diet supplemented with increased Zn experienced impaired Cu metabolism, negatively impacting growth performance. However, it has been demonstrated that mitigation of antagonisms might be possible with the use of organic TM supplemented at decreased concentrations. To validate these findings, a total of 2,629 pigs [initial body weight (BW) = 6.2 kg] were used in a 37-d experiment. Pens of 36 pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 8 dietary treatments with 9 replications per treatment. Dietary treatments were formulated to contain 1 of 4 Zn sources: Zn Sulfate, Zn Hydroxychloride A (Intellibond Zn [Micronutrients Inc., Indianapolis, IN), Zn Hydroxychloride B [Zn Hydroxychloride (Alltech, Inc., Nicholasville, KY)] or Organic Zn [Bioplex Zn (Alltech, Inc)] at 1 of 2 concentrations: 125 or 250 ppm. The concentrations utilized for Organic Zn treatment were 62.5 or 125 ppm per published recommendations. Experimental diets were fed in two phases: phase 1 from d 0 to 21 and phase 2 from d 22 to 37. Added Cu in both dietary phases was 10 ppm. At d 37, serum and liver samples (data not showed) were collected from 1 barrow per pen and submitted to Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to determine Zn and Cu concentration. No significant source × concentration interactions were observed for growth performance in this study. From d 0 to 37, pigs fed the greatest Zn concentration had less (P = 0.040) average daily feed intake (ADFI) and marginally decreased (P = 0.060) average daily gain (ADG), despite Zn source (Table 1). In addition, a marginal improvement (P = 0.070) in gain to feed ratio (G:F) was observed in pigs fed diets containing Organic Zn, regardless of concentration. For mineral concentrations in serum, there was a marginally significant source × concentration interaction (P = 0.078), where pigs fed diets with 125 ppm of Zn Hydroxychloride B had one of the greatest Zn concentrations, yet it was drastically reduced when pigs were fed diets with 250 ppm. Furthermore, Cu concentration in serum was decreased (P = 0.045) in pigs fed the greatest concentration of Zn, despite source. In conclusion, these results suggest that greater dietary Zn concentration impaired Cu absorption, reduced feed intake, and marginally decreased growth. Organic Zn, included at 50% reduced concentrations, marginally improved feed efficiency.

Impact of dietary zinc on the growth performance, histopathological analysis, antioxidant capability, and inflammatory response of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides

Zinc plays a crucial role in the antioxidant capacity, and inflammatory response of aquatic species, but its impact on largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides is rarely reported. Therefore, this paper aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of zinc on the growth performance, histopathology, antioxidant capacity, and inflammatory cytokines of largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. Fish with an initial weight of 7.84 ± 0.06 g were cultured for 10 weeks. Five experimental diets were prepared with supplemented proteinate Zn (Bioplex Zn, Alltech) (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 mg/kg), which were named the Zn-42, Zn-73, Zn-103, Zn-133, and Zn-164 groups. No evident difference was found between the dietary zinc level and the survival rate, the crude lipid content of the whole fish, or the visceral somatic index. Weight gain, condition factor, whole-body crude protein content, interleukin-10, and transforming growth factor beta gene expression were gradually enhanced with up to 102.68 mg/kg zinc and decreased at higher levels. The hepatosomatic index, feed conversion ratio, malondialdehyde level in the liver, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine transaminase activity in the serum, gradually decreased up to 102.68 mg/kg zinc, and gradually increased beyond this. Activation of the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 signaling pathway gradually up-regulated the mRNA levels and activities of glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant capacity, catalase, and superoxide dismutase in the liver, this antioxidant ability was lower when the zinc was greater than 102.68 mg/kg. The gene expressions of nuclear factor-k-gene binding and pro-inflammation cytokines (interleukin-1β, interleukin-15, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-8) were up-regulated up to 102.68 mg/kg zinc and then gradually repressed. In conclusion, using broken line analysis to estimate weight gain and Zn proteinate as the zinc source, the recommended dietary zinc for largemouth bass is 66.57 mg/kg zinc.

Comparison of Zinc Sulfate and Zinc Threonine Based on Zn Bioavailability and Performance of Broiler Chicks.

The purpose of this study was to compare zinc sulfate and zinc threonine chelate based on Zn bioavailability and performance of broiler chicks. The study was conducted in a completely randomized design with 256day-old Ross 308 chicks and eight treatments including control treatment (no zinc supplementation), three levels of zinc sulfate and zinc threonine chelate (40, 80, and 120mg zinc per kg feed), and a common commercial chelate (Bioplex Zn®) supply 40mg zinc per kg feed. The results of total period showed that threonine chelate group had the highest live weight compared with other treatments and lowest feed conversion ratio belonged to 80 and 120ppm of zinc threonine chelate (p < 0.05). Zinc threonine chelate and commercial chelate treatments had the lowest cholesterol and LDL levels compared with other treatments (p < 0.05). Zinc chelate threonine which contains 80 and 120ppm of zinc had the highest HDL and superoxide dismutase enzymes and the lowest heterophile to lymphocyte ratio compared with other treatments (p < 0.05). Relative bioavailability of zinc threonine to zinc sulfate based on body weight, feed conversion ratio, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, superoxide dismutase enzyme, ash, and zinc content in tibia were 418.75, 173.91, 131.38, 159.43, 278.63, 193.45, 156.46, and 117.65%, respectively. According to the results of broiler performance and other traits measured in this study, it seems that the use of 80ppm of zinc threonine chelate in the broiler diet is recommended in comparison with zinc sulfate levels and other threonine chelate levels.

Effect of different dietary zinc sources (mineral, nanoparticulate, and organic) on quantitative and qualitative semen attributes of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Zinc as an essential micronutrient in organisms and natural environments plays an important role in many biological activities. In this study, the effects of feeding with different sources of zinc supplements on seminal biochemical and enzymatic changes and quality and quantity indices of sperm in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were investigated. A total of 108 broodstock males in four treatments were fed diets supplemented with 40 mg kg−1 of: 1. Mineral zinc (ZnSO4), 2. Zinc nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), 3. Organic zinc (Zn-proteinate, Bioplex Zn®) and 4. A diet containing no extra added zinc as control for 16 weeks. Sperm motility duration and spermatocrit percentage were higher in treatments supplemented with all zinc sources than the control group (P < 0.05). After evaluating the quantity and quality of semen, fertilization was performed for different groups using female eggs of control group. The highest rates of fertilization, eyeing and hatching were obtained from treatment 1. Treatment 1 also yielded the highest offspring survival rate. The lowest levels of AST, ALT, LDH and SOD enzymes and the highest values of magnesium and calcium ions were observed in seminal plasma of fish in treatment 1. Seminal plasma levels of cholesterol, urea, glucose and total protein were at the lowest in treatment 1, however only the levels of glucose and total protein in the treatments showed significant difference (P < 0.05). Present results indicate that dietary mineral zinc has a prominent potential in improving sperm and seminal plasma quality indices and reproductive performance in broodstock males of rainbow trout.

Comparative toxicity of organic, inorganic and nanoparticulate zinc following dietary exposure to common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

This study was carried out to compare the dietary toxicity of organic zinc (Zn-proteinate, Bioplex Zn®), mineral zinc (ZnSO4), and nanoparticulate zinc (ZnO-NPs) on the basis of some biological responses including growth performance and whole-body proximate composition, and antioxidant enzymes, as well as their accumulative affinity to target organs. These Zn sources with the nominal concentrations of 0, 30, 100, and 500 mg kg−1 diet were added to a basal diet. Juvenile common carp (n = 400; weight of 25.3 ± 2.7 g) were fed with the diets for 56 days. ZnSO4 significantly reduced condition factor (CF) at 500 mg kg−1 diet. The highest activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was observed in the plasma of the animals received 500 mg kg−1 diet of all experimental Zn sources. However, this concentration of ZnO-NPs significantly increased the activity of SOD when compared to the respective amount of ZnSO4 and Zn-proteinate. Catalase (CAT) showed a zinc-concentration decreasing activity; the minimum activity was observed in the fish group treated with the diet containing 500 mg kg−1 ZnSO4. Digestive, muscular, and integumentary systems demonstrated the following tissue zinc burden: liver > muscle > bone > posterior intestine ≈ skin > anterior intestine, for ZnO-NPs; liver > muscle ≈ bone ≈ posterior intestine ≈ skin > anterior intestine, for Zn-proteinate; and liver > muscle ≈ bone ≈ skin > posterior intestine ≈ anterior intestine, for ZnSO4. Based on accumulative affinity, taken together, ZnO-NPs displayed the highest affinity to all of the analyzed target organs, and also intestinal Zn accumulation suggested that the gut tissue has the lowest rendering ability against ZnO-NPs in compare to ZnSO4 and Zn-proteinate.

Effects of Dietary Organic, Inorganic, and Nanoparticulate Zinc on Rainbow Trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss Larvae

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of different dietary zinc sources on growth performance, survival, and body composition of larval rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. A total of 3240 larvae with an average weight of 82.3 ± 11.6mg were randomly divided into four groups by three replicates and were fed for 70days. Organic zinc (Zn-proteinate, Bioplex Zn®), mineral zinc (ZnSO4), and nanoparticulate zinc (ZnO-NPs) were each added to the basal diet at 50-mg/kg diet. In all of the zinc-supplemented groups, final body weight (FBW) and weight gain (WG) increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared to the control at the termination of the feeding trial. There was no significant difference in specific growth rate (SGR) in experimental groups. Fish fed with mineral and nanoparticulate zinc, respectively, demonstrated the highest and lowest survival rates (P < 0.05) as compared to other experimental diets. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in groups fed with organic and mineral zinc. There were no significant differences in protein, lipid, moisture, and ash content among fish fed the experimental diets. Fish fed mineral zinc showed the highest (P < 0.05) zinc content in the whole body than the other groups. The data of the present study confirm positive effects of the use of 50mgkg-1 of zinc sources in early diet to enhance growth performance of rainbow trout larvae.

Estimation of the relative bioavailability of several zinc sources for broilers when fed a conventional diet

An experiment was conducted with 312 day-old male broiler chicks in grower phase(8-28d) to estimate the biological availability of four sources Zinc (Zn), Zinc sulfate(ZnSO4.H2O), two sources of Zinc oxide(ZnO FG1 and ZnO FG2) and Bioplex Zn. Zinc sulfate (ZnSO4.H2O) was used as the standard in the bioavailability assay. Chicks were allotted randomly to 13 dietary treatments with 6 birds per replicate and 4 replicates per treatment, that included an unsupplemented corn-soybean meal basal diet (25.50 mg of Zn/kg of DM), or the basal diet supplemented with 100, 150 or 200 mg/kg of DM as either ZnSO4.H2O (33 % Zn), Zinc oxide FG1(72%Zn), Zinc oxide FG2 (75%Zn) or Bioplex Zn (15% Zn). Dietary Zn level and source had no effect (P&gt;0.05) of feed intake or body weight gain of chicks during first and second weeks of experimental periods, but feed conversion ratio in the first and second week and feed intake, body weight gain or feed conversion ratio in third week and total experimental periods were significant difference between treatments (P&lt;0.05). The relative biological availability values using body weight gain were estimated to be 59, 99 or 45 for three levels of Zinc oxide FG1, 64, 78 or 31 for three levels of Zinc oxide FG2 and 151, 200 or 147 for three levels of Bioplex Zn, respectively. From the standpoint of bioavailability, Bioplex Zn was more available to broiler chicks than Zn from other sources and can be used by the feed industry as sources of supplemental Zn for broiler chickens.

Effect of dietary supplementation of trace elements on blood chemistry and selected immunological indices depending on the age of broiler chickens

This study was performed to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn and Se on some haematological, immunological and enzymatic indices in blood of broilers at the age of 21, 35 and 42 days. The basal diets (BDs) for Groups 1 and 2 were supplemented with the equivalent amounts of trace elements in an inorganic form (Cu sulphate 5 mg·kg-1 DM, Fe sulphate, Zn oxide, Mn oxide 50 mg·kg-1 DM), however sodium selenite or selenized yeast (Sel-Plex) were given at a dose of Se 0.3 mg·kg-1 DM, respectively. Groups 3 and 4 received the same BD´s but with the substantially reduced amount of supplemented nutrients in the organic “proteinated” form (Bioplex Cu 2.5 mg·kg-1 DM, Bioplex Fe, Bioplex Zn, Bioplex Mn 10 mg·kg-1 DM), except for selenium that was given at a dose of Se 0.3 mg·kg-1 DM as sodium selenite or Sel-Plex, respectively. The supplementation of restricted doses of trace elements in the organic forms into the diet did not affect studied haematological, immunological, enzymatic indices. At the age of 21 days, the activity of GSH-Px was significantly higher in the groups supplemented with sodium selenite later no differences due to the administered form of Se were found. This indicates that the GSH-Px activity reached a plateau in all groups of broilers at the 21, 35 and 42 day, except for GSH-Px activity in the groups of birds supplemented with selenized yeast on day 21. In Addition, significant age dependent changes were observed in blood chemistry, but the different treatments did not influence these changes. Base on our results, the doses of organic forms of trace elements supplemented into the diets for poultry can be restricted to 50% (Bioplex Cu) and 20% (Bioplex Fe, Bioplex Zn and Bioplex Mn) without influencing the blood chemistry of broilers.

Zinc as a feed supplement and its impact on plasma cholesterol concentrations in breeding cocks

The aim of this work was to verify the impact of feed supplemented with selected inorganic and organic zinc compounds on the total cholesterol concentrations and other blood plasma indices in breeding cocks. A total of 250 RIR 05 breeding cocks, 9 weeks old, were used. The cocks were divided into 5 groups of 50 animals each (four experimental groups and one control group). Cocks were fed a commercial feed mixture specifically for breeding cocks, containing 30.4 mg·kg-1 of zinc. The feed for experimental groups of cocks was fortified to 100 mg Zn·kg-1: zinc sulphate in first group, zinc oxide in second group, fodder yeast (Minvital Zn) in third group and Bioplex Zn in fourth group. Blood samples for biochemical examination were taken from the basilic vein. The contents of total cholesterol (Chol), total proteins (TP), glucose (Glu), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) in blood plasma were spectrophotometrically measured using a biochemical analyser, Cobas EMira, and commercial kits (Biovendor a.s., Czech Republic). In the 15th week of age, third and fourth groups showed a significant (P ≤ 0.05) and highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) decrease of total cholesterol in blood plasma compared to the control. In the 20th and 25th week of age, all of the experimental groups showed a significantand highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) decrease of total cholesterol in blood plasma compared to the control. Other monitored indices (total proteins, glucoses, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium) did not reveal any significant changes between the experimental and the control groups. The presented work provides the first available experimental evidence regarding the impact of zinc supplementation on the cholesterol levels in blood plasma of breeding cocks.

The Effects of Replacing Inorganic with a Lower Level of Organically Complexed Minerals (Cu, Zn and Mn) in Broiler Diets on Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Defense Systems

In this study, the effects of replacing inorganic copper, zinc and manganese with different levels of organic complexes of the same trace minerals on the lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense systems in broilers were investigated. Two-hundred Ross-308 one-day-old broiler chickens were placed on controlled diets until 42 d of age. The experimental animals were divided into four groups comprising three experimental groups and one control group, each consisting of 50 chickens. All groups were also divided into five subgroups each containing 10 broiler chicks. The mineral content of the control group diet was controlled using a standard inorganic mineral premix with supplement levels and sources of trace minerals typical of commercial broiler diets according to the National Research Council (NRC) (containing 8 mg Cu as CuSO 4 , 40 mg Zn as ZnSO 4 , and 60 mg Mn as MnO, per kg). In the experimental diets, mineral premix was also comprised of inorganic formulations, except for those of Cu, Zn and Mn. Organically-complexed Cu, Zn, and Mn were separately added to the basal diet at 1/3 (L1), 2/3 (L2) and 3/3 (L3) levels with respect to the NRC recommendation, as Bioplex Cu ™ , Bioplex Zn ™ , Bioplex Mn ™ . At the end of the trial, the plasma Zn level significantly increased when the plasma Cu level significantly decreased (p<0.05) in chickens fed at 2/3 and 3/3 levels of organically complexed minerals. The liver trace mineral concentrations were significantly higher in chickens fed inorganic trace minerals in comparison to those fed organically-complexed minerals. The plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level of experimental chickens was decreased in groups receiving levels of organic Cu, Zn and Mn in comparison to those fed inorganic forms (p<0.01). The erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was higher in all groups receiving the organic mineral supplements in comparison to those fed inorganic forms (p<0.01). No differences were observed on either the erythrocyte catalase (CAT) activity or the plasma ceruloplasmin (Cp) levels, and the liver MDA levels and liver CAT and SOD activities in any of the groups that received the organic supplements of Cu, Zn, and Mn. It was concluded that supplementation of lower levels of organically-complexed copper, zinc, and manganese instead of their inorganic forms in diets had no negative effects on the antioxidant defense system in broilers.

SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL PRODUCTIVE AND REPRODUCTIVE TRAITS OF INSHAS LOCAL STRAIN AS AFFECTED BY DIETARY ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION UNDER HOT SUMMER CONDITIONS IN EGYPT

A 2X4 factorial design experiment was performed including two sources of zinc (inorganic or organic). The inorganic Zn was provided as zinc oxide 72% and organic Zn was provided as Bioplex Zn, a chelated Zn proteinate that contained 10% Zn (Bioplex, Alltech Inc). The inorganic or organic zinc were added to the basal diet containing 22.21 mg zinc /Kg diet completed to 35(NRC, 1994), 70, 105 and 140 mg Zn / Kg diet. A total number of 240 laying hens and 24 cocks of Inshas strain (local strain) of 24 weeks old was used to study the effect of sources and levels of Zn addition to birds rations on their productive performance, reproductive traits, immune response to SRBC and economic efficiency. Birds were randomly distributed into eight equal groups (30 hens and 3 cocks each). Each group was subdivided into three replicates (10 hens and 1 cocks each) laying hens of each group nearly equal in average body weight (1430.55± 19.95) and average daily egg production. The experiment period extended from 24 to 36 weeks of age, during hot summer season (from June to September, 2008). The average minimum and maximum ambient temperatures ranged between 23.6 and 34.7 0C, relative humidity from 31.8 to 80.7% and temperature-humidity index (THI) from 21.64 to 33.52% underInshas, Sharkia Province, Egypt. Results obtained showed that feed conversion, egg production% , egg mass )24 - 28 weeks of age(, semen ejaculate volume (ml), percentages of sperm motility and sperm-cell concentration and antibody titer against SRBC’S were improved significantly (P<0.05) ,while dead spermatozoa(%) were decreased significantly (P<0.05) for birds fed diets contained organic zinc as compared to those fed zinc oxide. Laying hens fed diets contained 105 mg Zn/Kg diet recorded best values of feed conversion, egg production(%), egg mass, fertile eggs (%), hatchability/total eggs (%) and hatchability/ fertile eggs (%) values while the lowest values were recorded with layers fed diets containing 35 mg Zn oxide /Kg diet. Inshas cocks fed 105 mg Bioplex Zn / Kg diet showed the highest sperm cell concentration and lowest in dead sperm percentages as compared with other treatment groups which, improved the positive and direct effect on the viability of sperm and consequently affect the rate of cock fertility. Heamoglobin, serum zinc and yolk zinc were higher (al most significantly) for layers fed diets contained at levels 105 or 140 Zn mg/ Kg as compared with those fed other levels of Zn at the end of experimental period. Generally, zinc from Bioplex Zn improved titer against SRBC’S better than zinc from Zn oxide. In conclusion, diets supplemented with organic zinc at the level of 105 mg Zn/ Kg diet improved most physiological productive and reproductive traits of Inshas strain under hot summer condition in Egypt.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Trace Elements on the Growth Performance and Their Distribution in the Breast and Thigh Muscles Depending on the Age of Broiler Chickens

This study was designed to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of different doses and forms of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn and Se on the growth performance and concentration of these elements in the breast and thigh muscle of Ross 308 broiler chickens at the age of 21, 35 and 42 days. The diets for groups 1 and 2 of birds were supplemented with equivalent amounts of trace elements in an inorganic form (Cu sulphate 5 mg kg-1, Fe sulphate, Zn oxide, Mn oxide 50 mg kg-1), but sodium selenite or selenized yeast (Sel-Plex) were given at the dose of Se 0.3 mg kg-1, respectively. Groups 3 and 4 received the same feed as chickens in groups 1 and 2 but with a highly reduced amount of supplemented nutrients in the organic "proteinated" form (Bioplex Cu 2.5 mg kg-1, Bioplex Fe, Bioplex Zn, Bioplex Mn 10 mg kg-1), except for selenium which was given at the dose of Se 0.3 mg kg-1 as sodium selenite or selenized yeast (Sel-Plex), respectively. The diet supplemented with the restricted doses of trace elements in proteinated forms (50% Cu, 20% Fe, Zn, Mn and a regular level of Se) had the same effect on the indexes of growth performance (such as the body weight on days 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 of life, total feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass yield and abdominal fat of chickens) as well as on the concentration of Cu, Fe, Zn and Mn (except for Se) in the breast and thigh muscle of broilers at the age of 21, 35 and 42 days as did the diet with the recommended doses of minerals in the form of inorganic salts. Unlike sodium selenite, the proteinated form of Se (selenized yeast) is able to build a significant deposit of this element in the muscle of broilers at the age of 21, 35 and 42 days.

Effects of organic zinc and phytase supplementation in a maize–soybean meal diet on the performance and tissue zinc content of broiler chicks

1. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Bioplex Zn® (a chelated zinc proteinate) and phytase supplementation in a maize–soybean meal diet on the performance and tissue zinc (Zn) content of broiler chicks. Treatment structure consisted of a 2 × 6 factorial arrangement with two inclusions of phytase (0 or 500 PU/kg) and 6 of Bioplex Zn® providing 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 mg Zn/kg diet. A total of 864 chicks were randomly assigned to each of 12 dietary treatments with 6 replicate cages of 12 chicks. 2. Dietary inclusion of phytase increased feed intake, weight gain, plasma Zn content, tibia Zn content, tibia and ash weight. 3. Dietary supplementation of Bioplex Zn® linearly increased feed intake, weight gain, gain to feed ratio, plasma Zn concentration, liver Zn concentration, tibia Zn content, tibia and ash weight. 4. An interactive effect of phytase and Bioplex Zn® on feed intake, weight gain, tibia Zn concentration and tibia ash weight was found. 5. One slope, straight broken-line analysis of weight gain regressed on the supplemental Zn level provided as Bioplex Zn® indicated that 12 mg/kg supplemental Zn without phytase and 7·4 mg/kg supplemental Zn with phytase were required for the optimal weight gain of chicks.

Influence of Graded Levels of Organic Zinc on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Broilers

This study investigated the effect of graded levels of organic Zn (Bioplex Zn) on growth performance and carcass traits of broilers fed diets containing organic Se (Sel-Plex). Dietary treatments consisted of adding 0, 15, 30, 45, or 60 ppm organic Zn to a basal diet containing 60 ppm Zn from an inorganic source. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Body weight, feed intake, feed conversion, and carcass traits were evaluated. Carcass evaluation was also performed on the last day of the experimental period. Body weight, feed intake, feed conversion, and weights of individual meat cuts were not statistically influenced by increasing organic Zn levels in the diet. However, a significant increase in skin tearing strength was observed in response to increasing levels of dietary organic Zn. Zinc plays a role in epithelial cell layers and collagen synthesis, thus affecting susceptibility of skin to tearing. These data indicated that organic Zn does not affect growth performance of broilers but increases resistance of skin to tearing, therefore improving carcass quality.

Evaluation of Bioplex Zn® as an Organic Zinc Source for Chicks

Evaluation of Bioplex Zn® as an Organic Zinc Source for Chicks

Zinc Supplementation and Somatic Cell Count in Milk of Dairy Cows

The goal of the study was to test the possibility of raising milk zinc (Zn) concentration by increasing the supplementation of Zn, and to assess the effect on the somatic cell count. The experiment was performed at a farm with Czech Pied cattle, with 500 dairy cows and average milk yield 6,390 l. The experiment included 40 dairy cows, assigned to either an experimental (E, n = 20) or a control group (C, n = 20) based on the principle of balanced pairs (efficiency, lactation stage). The experimental group was supplemented Zn in the chelate form (Bioplex Zn, Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY), at the dose of 440 mg Zn per animal per day. Blood and milk samples were taken at the start of the experiment and at the end of months 1, 2 and 3. The average milk Zn concentration during the experiment was 57.36 ± 10.54 μmol l-1, ranging from 38.02 to 86.13 μmol l-1. A trend towards a positive effect of Zn supplementation on the health of the mammary gland was identified in association with the somatic cell count, which was significantly lower in the experimental group (114.90 ± 68.7 103 ml-1 vs. 208.60 ± 148.1 103 ml-1; p &lt; 0.05) by the end of month 3. A negative correlation was found between the somatic cell count and Zn concentration in milk (y = -0.0327 x + 61.557; r = -0.441; p &lt; 0.01). Our results indicate that milk Zn concentration is not directly affected by the level of zinc supplementation in the feed ration, but zinc supplementation has a positive effect on the somatic cell count.