D. Kalita

Effect of zinc supplementation on serum biochemicals in grower pig

Zinc (Zn) has a wide spectrum of biological activities, and its deficiency has been related to various dysfunctions and alterations of normal cell metabolism. To compare the effect of a higher dose of Zn supplementation on serum biochemicals of grower pigs (four months of age) that may serve as general indicators of optimum physiological functions, an experiment was conducted with one treatment group supplemented with higher dose of Zn (500 ppm) and another made deficient by supplementing calcium carbonate (CaCO3) at 1.5% of dry matter of diet, for a period of four months, and was compared to the control supplemented with 100 ppm Zn. Serum Zn decreased significantly in a deficient group (p <0.01), and the animals developed clinical symptoms of parakeratosis. Total serum protein and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration revealed a significantly (p <0.01) increasing trend in Zn-supplemented (500 ppm) animals from day 45 of treatment, whereas a significantly (p <0.01) decreasing trend was observed in deficient pigs. Serum albumin level was not affected by different supplemental level of Zn or induced Zn deficiency. An apparent increasing trend of glucose and cholesterol level was recorded in supplemented groups. However, it decreased significantly (p <0.01) in deficient pigs. The higher serum concentration of Zn, total serum protein, glucose, cholesterol andHb, resulting from 500 ppm of Zn supplementation in grower pigs, might help in maintaining a better physiological status through promotion of well-organised vital functions of proteins, ensuring a sufficient energy source for different physiological processes, and just source for synthesis of steroid hormones and optimal functioning of membrane receptors.

Effect of zinc and phytase supplementation on performance, serum biochemical profiles and carcass quality of crossbred (Hampshire × Assam local) pigs

Twenty-four castrated weaned (42 days, 11.39 kg) pigs were used in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment to determine the influence of dietary zinc (0 upto 100 ppm/kg) and phytase (0 or 200 FTU phytase units/kg) supplementation on the performance, serum biochemical profiles and carcass quality. Growth rate and feed efficiency were significantly higher (P < 0.05) for pigs supplemented with phytase and zinc. Total serum protein, glucose, cholesterol, Ca, P and Zn concentrations were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in phytase supplemented group, whereas serum alkaline phosphatase estimates were lower (P < 0.05). No significant differences in carcass characteristics and proximate composition of meat were observed which indicated no adverse effect of zinc and enzyme supplementation. These results indicated that the growth-promoting effect of phytase may be due to increased zinc and other serum mineral concentrations and zinc dependent blood biochemical functions.