Decreased Zn Concentration Research Articles

Amphetamine sensitization alters hippocampal neuronal morphology and memory and learning behaviors.

It is known that continuous abuse of amphetamine (AMPH) results in alterations in neuronal structure and cognitive behaviors related to the reward system. However, the impact of AMPH abuse on the hippocampus remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the damage caused by AMPH in the hippocampus in an addiction model. We reproduced the AMPH sensitization model proposed by Robinson et al. in 1997 and performed the novel object recognition test (NORt) to evaluate learning and memory behaviors. After the NORt, we performed Golgi-Cox staining, a stereological cell count, immunohistochemistry to determine the presence of GFAP, CASP3, and MT-III, and evaluated oxidative stress in the hippocampus. We found that AMPH treatment generates impairment in short- and long-term memories and a decrease in neuronal density in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. The morphological test showed an increase in the total dendritic length, but a decrease in the number of mature spines in the CA1 region. GFAP labeling increased in the CA1 region and MT-III increased in the CA1 and CA3 regions. Finally, we found a decrease in Zn concentration in the hippocampus after AMPH treatment. An increase in the dopaminergic tone caused by AMPH sensitization generates oxidative stress, neuronal death, and morphological changes in the hippocampus that affect cognitive behaviors like short- and long-term memories.

The ZIP Transporter Family Member OsZIP9 Contributes To Root Zinc Uptake in Rice under Zinc-Limited Conditions.

Zinc (Zn) is an important essential micronutrient for plants and humans; however, the exact transporter responsible for root zinc uptake from soil has not been identified. Here, we found that OsZIP9, a member of the ZRT-IRT-related protein, is involved in Zn uptake in rice (Oryza sativa) under Zn-limited conditions. OsZIP9 was mainly localized to the plasma membrane and showed transport activity for Zn in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Expression pattern analysis showed that OsZIP9 was mainly expressed in the roots throughout all growth stages and its expression was upregulated by Zn-deficiency. Furthermore, OsZIP9 was expressed in the exodermis and endodermis of root mature regions. For plants grown in a hydroponic solution with low Zn concentration, knockout of OsZIP9 significantly reduced plant growth, which was accompanied by decreased Zn concentrations in both the root and shoot. However, plant growth and Zn accumulation did not differ between knockout lines and wild-type rice under Zn-sufficient conditions. When grown in soil, Zn concentrations in the shoots and grains of knockout lines were decreased to half of wild-type rice, whereas the concentrations of other mineral nutrients were not altered. A short-term kinetic experiment with stable isotope 67Zn showed that 67Zn uptake in knockout lines was much lower than that in wild-type rice. Combined, these results indicate that OsZIP9 localized at the root exodermis and endodermis functions as an influx transporter of Zn and contributes to Zn uptake under Zn-limited conditions in rice.

Revisiting the role of Zr micro-alloying in a Mg-Nd-Zn alloy

The effect of Zr addition on microstructures and their evolution during heat treatments of a Mg-Nd-Zn alloy was studied using various electron microscopy techniques. The addition of Zr not only provided heterogenous nucleation sites to refine grain sizes of Mg during solidification, but also influenced microstructural evolution upon solution treatment and aging. Zn2Zr3 precipitates were formed in Mg-2.7Nd-0.6Zn-0.5Zr (wt. %) during solution treatment at 798 K, inducing remarkable hardness increment of the alloy. Moreover, decrease in Zn concentration in Mg matrix due to formation of Zn2Zr3 precipitates increased the density ratio of β1-Mg3(Nd,Zn) prismatic rod precipitates to γ''-Mg7(Nd,Zn)3 basal plates in peak aged samples. In addition, significant strain generated between Zn2Zr3/Mg interfaces facilitates the heterogeneous nucleation of β1-Mg3(Nd,Zn) at interfaces.

Controllable Preparation and the Tribological Properties of Bimetal Oxide ZnxTiyOz

The bimetallic oxide films with different contents of Zn and Ti were prepared by magnetron sputtering and the films were annealed at 600°C. The relationship between the structure and properties with different content of elements before and after annealed was comprehensively analyzed. It was found that with the decrease of Zn content, the number of the nuclear inside the film increased and the surface became denser. Therefore, the hardness and bonding strength gradually increased. The friction coefficient and the wear rate of the film were 0.154 and 7.4×10-6 mm3/N/m respectively, due to the formation of ZnTiO3 and ZnO composite phases with lubricity on the surface.

Chemical and Biological Roles of Zinc in a Porous Titanium Dioxide Layer Formed by Micro-Arc Oxidation

This study investigated the time transient effect of zinc (Zn) in the porous titanium dioxide formed by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) treatment routinely performed for Zn-containing electrolytes. The aim of our analysis was to understand the changes in both the chemical and biological properties of Zn in physiological saline. The morphology of the Zn-incorporated MAO surface did not change, and a small amount of Zn ions were released at early stages of incubation in saline. We observed a decrease in Zn concentration in the oxide layer because its release and chemical state (Zn2+ compound to ZnO) changed over time during incubation in saline. In addition, the antibacterial property of the Zn-incorporated MAO surface developed at late periods after the incubation process over a course of 28 days. Furthermore, osteogenic cells were able to proliferate and were calcified on the specimens with Zn. The changes related to Zn in saline had non-toxic effects on the osteogenic cells. In conclusion, the time transient effect of Zn in a porous titanium dioxide layer was beneficial to realize dual functions, namely the antibacterial property and osteogenic cell compatibility. Our study suggests the importance of the chemical state changes of Zn to control its chemical and biological properties.

Effect of Zn Content on Structure, Roughness and Corrosion Behavior of Zn-Ni Alloys

Abstract In this work, Zn-Ni alloys have been deposited on steel from sulfate bath, by electrodeposition method. The effect of Zn content on deposits properties was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoaperometry (CA), linear stripping voltammetry (ALSV) and diffraction (XRD) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The corrosion behavior in 3.5 wt. NaCl solution was examined using anodic polarization test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction of show that Zn-Ni alloys structure is composed of δ phase and γ phase, which increase with the decrease of Zn content in deposits. Results show that deposits obtained from bath less Zn2+ concentration exhibited better corrosion resistance.

Exprimental study on hydrostatic treatment of ZK60 magnesium alloy

The experiment of hydrostatic treatment on ZK60 magnesium alloy was conducted at 160 °C under hydrostatic pressure of 500 MPa, then the specimens were performed by using mechanical tester, optical microscopy, SEM, XRD and EDS. The mechanical results showed that the yield strength after hydrostatic pressure was enhanced by 89.1%, compared with the yield strength after aging heat treatment. And the analyses on microstructure indicated that hydrostatic pressure led to the increase of precipitates scattered on α-Mg matrix and the decrease of Zn concentration in a-Mg matrix; besides, there was a significant positive correlation between the increase of the precipitates and the decrease of Zn concentration in a-Mg matrix, which was validated by the XRD pattern and EDS spectrum analyses. It is therefore speculated that the increase the yield strength after hydrostatic pressure is possibly determined by the increase of precipitates MgZn and MgZn2 scattered on α-Mg matrix.

Human-like hyperplastic prostate with low ZIP1 induced solely by Zn deficiency in rats

Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in men over 50 years of age, and there is a characteristic marked decrease in Zn content in the malignant prostate cells. The cause and consequences of this loss have thus far been unknown. We found that in middle-aged rats a Zn-deficient diet reduces prostatic Zn levels (P = 0.025), increases cellular proliferation, and induces an inflammatory phenotype with COX-2 overexpression. This hyperplastic/inflammatory prostate has a human prostate cancer-like microRNA profile, with up-regulation of the Zn-homeostasis-regulating miR-183-96-182 cluster (fold change = 1.41-2.38; P = 0.029-0.0003) and down-regulation of the Zn importer ZIP1 (target of miR-182), leading to a reduction of prostatic Zn. This inverse relationship between miR-182 and ZIP1 also occurs in human prostate cancer tissue, which is known for Zn loss. The discovery that the Zn-depleted middle-aged rat prostate has a metabolic phenotype resembling that of human prostate cancer, with a 10-fold down-regulation of citric acid (P = 0.0003), links citrate reduction directly to prostatic Zn loss, providing the underlying mechanism linking dietary Zn deficiency with miR-183-96-182 overexpression, ZIP1 down-regulation, prostatic Zn loss, and the resultant citrate down-regulation, changes mimicking features of human prostate cancer. Thus, dietary Zn deficiency during rat middle age produces changes that mimic those of human prostate carcinoma and may increase the risk for prostate cancer, supporting the need for assessment of Zn supplementation in its prevention.

Cadmium accumulation capacity and resistance strategies of a cadmium-hypertolerant fern — Microsorum fortunei

Microsorum fortunei (M. fortunei), a close relative to the cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulator Microsorum pteropus, is an epiphytic Polypodiaceae fern with strong antioxidant activity. The Cd-accumulation capacities and Cd-resistance mechanisms of M. fortunei were analyzed in this study by measuring metal contents (Cd, Fe, Mg, Ca, Zn, Mn, K and Na) and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, qN, qP, Y(II), Y(NPQ) and Y(NO)) and by performing an RNA-sequencing analysis. M. fortunei could accumulate up to 2249.10 μg/g DW Cd in roots under a 15-day 1000 μmol/L Cd treatment, with little Cd translocated into the leaves (maximum 138.26 μg/g DW). The M. fortunei leaves could maintain their normal physiological functions with no phytosynthesis damage and few changes in metal contents or differentially expressed genes. M. fortunei roots showed a decrease in Zn concentration, with potential Cd-tolerance mechanisms such as heavy metal transporters, vesicle trafficking and fusion proteins, antioxidant systems, and primary metabolites like plant hormones, revealed by differentially expressed functional genes. In conclusion, M. fortunei may serve as a potential cadmium-hypertolerant fern that sequesters and detoxifies most cadmium in the roots, with a minimum root-to-shoot Cd translocation to guarantee the physiological functions in the more vulnerable leaves.

Cadmium reduces zinc uptake but enhances its translocation in the cadmium-accumulator, Carpobrotus rossii, without affecting speciation

Interactions between Cd and Zn occur in soils and plants but are inconsistent. This study examined how Cd/Zn interactions influence the growth of Carpobrotus rossii (Haw.) and the accumulation of Cd and Zn in plants. Plants were grown in nutrient solutions containing 5–100 μM Zn and 0, 5 or 15 μM Cd. Plant growth and tissue concentrations were measured, and the speciation of Zn within the plant tissues determined using synchrotron-based X-ray absorption spectroscopy. There was an additive negative interaction between Cd and Zn on root growth. Only the highest level of Zn (100 μM) decreased Cd concentrations in root and shoot tissues (by 40–64%), whilst 100 μM Zn enhanced Cd translocation at 5 μM Cd but decreased it at 15 μM Cd. In contrast, both 5 and 15 μM Cd decreased Zn concentrations in root and shoot tissues but increased Zn translocation by 30–90%. This interaction was not associated with changes in Zn speciation within the plants, with most Zn associated with oxalate (48–87%). The presence of Zn and Cd resulted in an additive negative effect on root growth, but an antagonistic pattern in their accumulation in shoots of C. rossii.

Zinc deficiency tolerance in maize is associated with the up-regulation of Zn transporter genes and antioxidant activities.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential micronutrient for the growth and development of plants. However, Zn deficiency is a common abiotic stress causing yield loss in crop plants. This study elucidates the mechanisms of Zn deficiency tolerance in maize through physiological and molecular techniques. Maize lines tolerant (PAC) and sensitive (DAC) to Zn deficiency were examined physiologically and by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Proteins, H2 O2 , SOD, POD, membrane permeability and gene expression (using real-time PCR) of roots and shoots of both maize lines were assessed. Zn deficiency had no significant effect on root parameters compared with control plants in PAC and DAC but showed a substantial reduction in shoot parameters in DAC. AAS showed a significant decrease in Zn concentrations in both roots and shoots of DAC but not PAC under Zn deficiency, implying that Zn deficiency tolerance mechanisms exist in PAC. Consistently, total protein and membrane permeability were significantly reduced in DAC but not PAC in both roots and shoots under Zn deficiency in comparison with Zn-sufficient plants. Real-time PCR showed that expression of ZmZIP1, ZmZIP4 and ZmIRT1 transporter genes significantly increased in roots of PAC, but not in DAC due to Zn deficiency compared with controls. The H2 O2 concentration dramatically increased in roots of DAC but not PAC. Moreover, tolerant PAC showed a significant increase in POD and SOD activity due to Zn deficiency, suggesting that POD- and SOD-mediated antioxidant defence might provide tolerance, at least in part, under Zn deficiency in PAC. This study provides an essential background for improving Zn biofortification of maize.

Improved potassium nutrition retrieves phosphorus-induced decrease in zinc uptake and grain zinc concentration of wheat.

The negative effect of soil-applied phosphorus (P) on zinc (Zn) uptake by plants and its concentration in food grains could be a possible reason for low dietary intake of Zn. Likewise, owing to its critical role in plant tolerance to other abiotic stresses, potassium (K) was thought to retrieve P-induced decrease in grain Zn concentration of wheat. To test the above hypothesis, the effect of K application (50 mg kg-1 soil) on Zn concentration in shoot/grains and its shoot-to-grain translocation was studied in wheat (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Galaxy-2013) under low and optimal supply of both P (10 and 50 mg kg-1 ) and Zn (0 and 5 mg kg-1 ). The response of growth parameters and grain yield to optimal Zn, P and K applications indicated that all nutrients were limiting plant growth at low levels. Irrespective of P level, Zn application at optimal rate increased Zn concentration and uptake by straw and grains of wheat. Contrarily, optimal P application decreased Zn concentration but increased Zn uptake by wheat straw. More specifically, combined application of Zn and P at optimal levels decreased Zn concentration in grains from 43 to 32 mg kg-1 compared with optimal Zn application alone. Potassium application to optimal P- and Zn-supplied plants increased remobilization of pre-anthesis straw Zn store to grains by 50% and decreased Zn concentration in straw. Consequently, K application along with optimal Zn and P supply to plants completely retrieved P-induced loss in grain Zn concentration and also increased grain Zn uptake from 891 to 1249 µg per pot without significantly affecting grain yield. The K-induced increase in grain Zn concentration is attributed to K-driven higher post-anthesis Zn uptake and remobilization of pre-anthesis straw Zn store to grains. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Early-Life Exposure to Cadmium Triggers Distinct Zn-Dependent Protein Expression Patterns and Impairs Brain Development.

The objective of this study was to determine if the brain development impairment induced by early-life exposure to cadmium (Cd) could result from changes in the expression pattern of distinct zinc (Zn)-dependent proteins. For this purpose, adult female rats receiving either tap water, Cd, Zn, or Cd + Zn in their drinking water during gestation and lactation periods were used. After birth, the male offspring were screened for locomotors and sensorial defects. At postnatal day 21 (PND 21), the male pups were sacrificed and their brains, liver, and plasma were taken for chemical, biochemical, and molecular analyses. Our results show that exposure to Cd significantly increased the metal accumulation and decreased Zn concentrations in the brain of male pups from Cd-treated mothers. Besides, Cd exposure reduced significantly the locomotor activity of the offspring in open-field test, the body weight, and the cranio-caudal length at PND21. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) levels in the plasma and liver were also decreased in male pups from Cd-treated mothers. Cd-induced brain development disruption was accompanied by a significant increase of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, induction of the metallothionein (MT) synthesis, and, at the molecular level, by an upregulation of Zrt-,Irt-related protein 6 (ZIP6) gene and a significant downregulation of the expression of the Zn transporter 3 (ZnT3) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genes in the brain. No significant changes on the expression of genes encoding other Zn-dependent proteins and factors such as ZnT1, ZIP12, NF-κB, and Zif268. Interestingly, Zn supplementation provided a total or partial correction of the changes induced by the Cd exposure. These data indicated that changes in expression of ZnT3 and ZIP6 as well as alteration of other transcription factors, such as BDNF, or Zn-dependent proteins, such as SOD and MTs, in response to Cd exposure might be an underlying mechanism of Cd-induced brain development impairment.

The influence of weathering and soil organic matter on Zn isotopes in soils

Zinc is an essential micronutrient that is ultimately released during mineral weathering. In soils, organic matter plays a key role in influencing Zn partitioning and therefore on Zn biogeochemical cycling. Soil organic matter is partitioned between carbon that is more readily available for decomposition by microorganisms, and more stable carbon transiently preserved from decomposition. The role of the stable pool of soil organic matter on Zn biogeochemical cycling remains poorly understood. The pool of stable carbon is controlled by combination with mineral constituents or is material that is intrinsically resistant to decomposition. The Zn stable isotopes are fractionated by interactions between Zn and soil mineral and organic constituents. This study reports the Zn isotope composition of five Icelandic soil profiles derived from the same parent basalt and characterized by contrasting degrees of weathering and organic matter content (δ66Zn=+0.10±0.05 to +0.35±0.02‰), the distribution of reactive mineral constituents available to form associations with soil organic matter, and the amount of stable organic carbon. Throughout these soils, the δ66Zn isotope variations are little influenced by mineral constituents, but rather by soil organic matter content. These data suggest that a combination of organic matter accumulation and Zn loss by leaching is required to explain the observed decrease in Zn concentration in soils and lighter soil δ66Zn with increasing organic carbon content. These results suggest that the presence of stable organic carbon in soils provides a pool of light Zn, attributed to the Zn isotope signature of organic matter partially preserved from decomposition. Crucially, this stable organic carbon pool may also contribute to the formation of the light Zn isotope sink reported in organic-rich marine sediments, a key output required to explain the oceanic mass balance of Zn isotopes.

Effect of plastic deformation on the optical and electrical properties in Cd0.96Zn0.04Te single crystals

Using UV–visible, photoluminescence, electrical measurements and ab-initio calculations, we study the effect of introduced dislocations on the optical and electrical properties in Cd0.96Zn0.04Te crystals. To generate dislocations, a plastic deformation on the Cd(111) and Te(1¯1¯1¯) faces was induced. It is shown that the plastic deformation results in: i) a decrease in Zn concentration in the deformed regions, which is higher on the Cd face, ii) decrease in the band gap energy, iii) an increase of acceptor concentration, and iv) the leakage current is higher on the Te face. Calculation of barrier height has led to identify the dominant defect, which is the complex Cd vacancies, acceptor center [VCd, ACd] on the Cd face and VTe on the Te side, respectively. Electronic structure calculations based on full potential linearized augmented plane waves (FPLAPW) method were performed as well and have shown that the optical band gap energy decrease upon deformation can be understood by the decrease in Zn content in the deformed regions.

Combined effects of elevated temperature and CO2 concentration on Cd and Zn accumulation dynamics in Triticum aestivum L.

A simulated climate warming experiment was conducted to evaluate the combined effects of elevated temperature and CO2 concentration on the bioaccumulation, translocation and subcellular distributions of Cd and Zn in wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L. cv. Xihan 1.) at Dingxi, Gansu Province, China. The objective was to find evidence that global climate change is affecting the bioaccumulation of Cd and Zn in T. aestivum L. cv. Xihan 1. The results showed that compared to control A, elevated temperature and CO2 increased Cd bioaccumulation in the shoots by 1.4–2.5 times, and increased that in the roots by 1.2–1.5 times, but decreased Zn levels in wheat shoots by 1.4–2.0 times, while decreased that in the roots by 1.6–1.9 times. Moreover, temperature and CO2 concentration increase also led to increased Cd concentration, and decreased Zn concentration in subcellular compartments of wheat seedlings. The largest Cd concentration increase (174.4%) was observed in the cell wall and debris fractions of shoots after they were subjected to the highest CO2 and temperature treatment (TC3). The largest Zn concentration decrease (53.1%) was observed in the soluble (F3) fractions of shoots after they were subjected to the medium CO2 and temperature treatment (TC2). The temperature and CO2 increase had no significant effect on the proportional distribution of Cd and Zn in the subcellular fractions. The root-to-shoot translocation of Cd increased with the increasing temperature and CO2 concentration. However, the Zn distributions only fluctuated within a small range.

Zinc Uptake by Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) as Affected by Zn Application Rate, Zeolite, and Vermicompost

ABSTRACTZinc deficiency in calcareous soils is a serious problem, which may be ameliorated by the application of some soil amendments. A completely randomized factorial experiment was done to investigate the effect of zeolite, vermicompost, zeolite + vermicompost, and Zn application to a calcareous soil on Zn availability, dry weight of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), and Zn concen-tration in spinach. Results indicated that zeolite had no effect on soil Zn availability, dry weight, and Zn concentration in spinach. Vermicompost significantly increased dry weight (1.33 g pot−1) and decreased Zn concentration in spinach (16 mg kg−1). Application of zeolite + vermicompost significantly increased dry weight (by 2.8 times) and Zn uptake in spinach and it also decreased Zn concentration in spinach less than vermicompost. Zinc application increased Zn concentration in spinach (up to 496 mg kg−1), but did not affect dry weight except in soils treated with zeolite + vermicompost. Generally, application of zeolite + vermicompost is recommended instead of separate zeolite or vermicompost application for improvement of soil Zn fertility and Zn uptake by spinach.

STRUCTURAL AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF CD1-XZNXS ALLOY QUANTUM DOTS

Cd1-xZnxS (0≤x≤1) alloy quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized via coprecipitation method using cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as a capping material. Elemental composition of the investigated samples was determined by the energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX). X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) were used to characterize the crystalline structure, particle size and morphology. XRD analysis indicated that the as synthesized nanomaterials, except for ZnS, have a mixture of cubical and hexagonal phases. The percentage of the hexagonal phase was very small. ZnS nanocrystal has a cubical structure. The particle size and the lattice constant decreased with the increase of Zn content. HRTEM data showed the presence of QDs and confirmed the XRD results. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) absorption spectroscopy was employed to study the optical properties. Absorption band edges showed blue-shift systematically with the increase of Zn content. The results are interpreted in terms of the quantum-size confinement effect. Measurements of XRD and UV-vis absorption spectra under different annealing temperatures up to 400°C were performed. The annealed compositions showed mixture of cubical and hexagonal crystal structure. Tendency for phase transformation, from cubic to hexagonal upon annealing were observed. The degree of tendency for phase transformation increased with the decrease of Zn content and the increase of the annealing temperature. Particle sizes were increased with increasing the annealing temperature. UV- vis absorption spectra exhibited red-shift systematically with the increase of the annealing temperature. The values of the optical band gap energies decreased with increasing annealing temperature.

Effect of processing routes on the synthesis and properties of Zn4Sb3 thermoelectric alloy

In this work, sintering of Zn4Sb3 was performed by open die pressing at 558 K, investigating the role of different starting materials (powders obtained from slowly cooled master alloy ingots or rapidly solidified ribbons) on microstructure, phase stability, thermoelectric properties and mechanical properties.With respect to the master alloy, sintered samples show lower porosity, a slight decrease in Zn content and a partial decomposition of Zn4Sb3 into ZnSb and Zn. Sintering of ground rapidly solidified ribbons further reduces porosity and partially inhibits the decomposition of Zn4Sb3.As sintered samples show a temperature behaviour of the Seebeck coefficient that is intermediate between those of Zn4Sb3 and ZnSb. Thermal cycling between 300 K and 700 K favours the homogenization of the microstructure, due to the recombination of ZnSb and Zn into Zn4Sb3, leading to a Seebeck coefficient typical of Zn4Sb3 single phase. The phase evolution observed upon sintering and thermal cycling is described in terms of competing reactions ruled by thermodynamics and kinetics, and the different behaviour of the samples is explained by the different free energy level of the starting materials.All samples show a brittle behaviour upon stress-strain compressive test and microindentation measurements. A remarkable increase of the fracture strength is observed as the porosity decreases, whereas microhardness values are similar for all samples (220–240 HVN). For the sintered samples, values of the indentation fracture toughness (0.8–0.9 MPa m1/2) are estimated from the length of Palmqvist-type radial cracks.

Effects of zinc sulfate pretreatment on heat tolerance of Bama miniature pig under high ambient temperature.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the heat tolerance of Bama miniature pigs under high ambient temperature (40°C) and Zn interactive functions during heat treatment (HT). Bama miniature pigs (male; n = 24; 6-mo old; BW = 10.79 ± 0.06 kg) were randomly allotted to 4 groups and were fed a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with 1,500 mg of Zn (ZnSO4·H2O)/kg diet for 38 d. At 7 mo of age (d 30), the thermal neutral (TN) groups remained at 25°C, whereas the HT groups were exposed to ambient temperature at 40°C for 5 h daily for 8 consecutive days. Pigs in 4 groups were sacrificed on d 38. Individual rectal temperatures, skin temperatures, and breathing rates were recorded at 3 h after the onset of HT and the blood samples were collected immediately after HT on d 30, 34, and 38. Pigs fed diets with or without Zn doubled their breathing rates (P < 0.05) and increased body surface, scrotal, and rectal temperatures during HT on d 30, 34, and 38, respectively. Zinc supplementation increased BW gain (BWG; P < 0.05) during 38-d experiment period, and HT decreased BWG only from d 30 to 34 (P < 0.05). Heat treatment increased serum testosterone on d 30 (P < 0.05). Zinc supplementation decreased the heat-induced increase of testosterone in HT on d 30 and 34 (P < 0.05). The relative weight of liver increased in HT groups (P < 0.05). Zinc supplementation decreased the relative weights of spleen (P < 0.05) and testis (P < 0.01). The values of abnormal lymphocyte count and large unstained cell count declined approximately 5 times in groups of Zn supplementation, whereas Zn supplementation increased the values of red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin. Zinc concentrations increased in serum, liver, kidney, epididymis, longissimus, hair, and feces in groups fed with Zn (P < 0.01). However, additional Zn decreased Zn concentrations in lung, spleen, and testis (P < 0.01). Moreover, HT decreased serum Zn concentrations (P < 0.01). In conclusion, Zn supplementation could be used to alleviate the decline of serum Zn during periods of high ambient temperatures. However, pretreated supplementation with pharmacological Zn did not promote heat tolerance but impacted the erythropoiesis, immunity, and reproductive organ development in Bama miniature pigs.