Effect of Low Dietary Zinc During Late Gestation and Early Lactation on the Sow and Neonatal Piglets

Abstract

KeLiNowsrr, J. eNo CHavr,z, E. R. 1984. Effect of low dietary zinc during late gestation and early lactation on the sow and neonatal piglets. Can. J. Anim. Twelve pregnant sows were fed semi-purified diets containing either l3 or 63 mg/ kg zinc (Zn). The animals were fed the diets during the last 4 wk of pregnancy (2 kg/day) and the two first weeks of lactation (ad libitum).

Low Dietary Zinc Intake During Pregnancy and Lactation of Gilts. Ii. Effects on the Offspring

“…The plasma Zn levels from control piglets is similar to values reported by Hoekstra et al (1967) and Kalinowski and Chavez (1984) but somewhat lowerthan the values reported by Hedges et al (1916). The plasma Zn level of piglets from Zndepleted gilts agrees with values reported by Palludan and Wegger (1976).…”

“…However, the lower plasma Cu also observed in newborn piglets from these dams is rather surprising, since the opposite trend would be expected. In a previous study (Kalinowski and Chavez 1984). we also observed lower plasma Cu in piglets born to sows restricted in Zn during the last 4 wk of pregnancy although the difference between treatments was not significant.…”

“…Handling of piglets at birth and throughout the experiment, including blood sampling schedule and technique, followed the protocol described by Kalinowski and Chavez (1984).…”

“…When pregnant gilts were fed approximately one-tenth of the recommended level of Zn, low viability of piglets was observed despite the fact that the deficient diet was fed during the last third of pregnancy only (Palludan and Wegger l9'76). Feeding pregnant sows 13 mgZn kg 1 diet during the last 4 wk of gestation and first 2 wk of lactation affected neither weight at birth nor survival or growth rate in early postnatal life (Kalinowski and Chavez 1984).…”

Effect of Low Zinc Intake During Pregnancy on Plasma Prolactin, Progesterone, Prostaglandin, Cortisol and Protein Concentrations of Ewes During the Periparturient Period

“…Prostaglandin Fr" has been implicated in normal delivery mechanisms in sheep (Bazer and First 1983) (Palludan and Wegger 1916;Kalinowski and Chavez 1984). Since both the rat and pig are dependent on the ovary throughout gestation (Catchpole 1969), the absence of dystocia in the ewe, which is not dependent on the ovary by mid-gestation, supports the suggestion thatZn is required for ovarian mechanisms involved in parturition (Bunce et al 1983).…”