Effects of Replacing of Inorganic Trace Minerals by Organically Bound Trace Minerals on Growth Performance, Tissue Mineral Status, and Fecal Mineral Excretion in Commercial Grower-Finisher Pigs

Abstract

A total of 180 crossbred pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Large White; BW = 47.1 ± 4.8 kg) were used to investigate the effects of totally replacing inorganic trace minerals (ITMs) by organically bound trace minerals (OTMs) on growth performance, tissue mineral status, liver antioxidant enzyme activities, and fecal mineral excretion in grower-finisher pigs. A randomized complete block design with three treatments and six replicates (n = 10 pigs per pen) was used in this 69-day, 2-phase feeding trial. Experimental treatments were as follows: (1) a basal diet without trace mineral supplementation, (2) basal + ITMs (Fe, Mn, and Zn from sulfates, Cu oxychloride, and sodium selenite providing commercially recommended levels in China at 125, 22.5, 117.5, 30, and 0.3 mg/kg, respectively), and 3) basal + OTMs (Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu from Bioplex and Se as Sel-Plex (Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) providing levels identical to ITMs). No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in ADG, ADFI, or G:F among the treatments during the entire grower-finisher period. Supplementation with minerals, regardless of source, increased (P < 0.05) the Fe, Cu, and Se levels in the plasma; Fe and Zn levels in the liver; and Se levels in heart. Furthermore, compared with ITM group, the concentration of Zn and Se in the liver and heart, and Se in plasma and longissimus muscle were greater (P < 0.05) in OTM group. Hepatic Cu/Zn-SOD and ALP activities were increased (P < 0.05) when either ITMs or OTMs were supplemented. Pigs supplemented with OTMs displayed greater activities of Cu/Zn-SOD, ALP, and GSH-Px in the liver compared to pigs supplemented with ITMs. Dietary mineral supplementation to pig diets greatly increased (P < 0.05) fecal mineral (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Se) excretion in both grower and finisher phases. Fecal concentrations of Zn, Cu, and Se excretion were lower (P < 0.05) with OTMs supplementation than that in pigs fed diets containing ITMs. These results indicate that use of organic trace minerals, as well as no trace mineral supplementation, did not influence pig growth performance. Totally replacing ITMs by equivalent levels of OTMs could improve hepatic Cu/Zn-SOD, ALP, and GSH-Px activities and reduce fecal Mn, Cu, and Se excretion for grower-finisher pigs when supplemented at commercially recommended levels.

Effects of low-dose organic trace minerals on performance, mineral status, and fecal mineral excretion of sows

“…These reductions occurred without adverse effects on performance. Similarly, our team also found, in previous work, that fecal contents of Fe, Cn, Zn, and Se were significantly decreased when growing-fattening pigs consumed organic trace mineral compounds (Fe, Cn, Mn, Zn, and Se) or were fed diets without trace elements inclusion in comparison to those receiving equivalent inorganic trace minerals at commercially recommended levels without compromising growth performance [20]. The possible interpretation could be that organic trace minerals with stable five-or six-membered ring structures can be more completely…”

“…However, it was observed in the present study that compared with ITM, sows fed the OTM diet had more piglets with birthweight >1 kg, which is a crucial indicator in commercial pig production. Serum and tissues are commonly used to reflect body mineral status [11,20]. However, in the current study, hair of sows was collected to determine Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn concentrations instead of serum in consideration of the negative effect on the conceptus induced by blood sampling stress.…”

“…Minerals in excrement are mainly derived from unabsorbed trace minerals in the diet and those excessively absorbed and excreted by the bile under the action of homeostatic balance regulation [20]. Thus, the supplemental levels and sources of trace minerals in the diet are the main factors affecting micromineral emissions in excrement [29,30].…”

“…Thus, the supplemental levels and sources of trace minerals in the diet are the main factors affecting micromineral emissions in excrement [29,30]. Dietary supplementation with low levels of trace minerals has been reported to reduce micromineral concentrations in the manure of nursery pigs [30] and grower-finisher pigs [20]. Moreover, using organic trace elements totally or individually to replace the inorganic trace minerals also decreased fecal trace elements excretion [30,31].…”

Low-dose of organic trace minerals reduced fecal mineral excretion without compromising performance of laying hens

“…The collection of each 24 h was kept in polythene sachets and stored at -20°C and pooled at the end of the collection period pending analysis of Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn. Then all fecal samples were dried in a hot-air oven at 65°C for 48 h, and ground to pass a 1-mm sieve to achieve homogenous samples for mineral analysis [16].…”