The Effect of Heat Stress and Vitamin and Micro-Mineral Supplementation on Some Mineral Digestibility and Electrolyte Balance of Pigs

Abstract

Heat stress (HS) can have detrimental effects on intestinal integrity and can jeopardize the digestibility performance in pigs. With prolonged exposure to heat, some thermoregulatory processes in pigs are potential causes for electrolyte imbalance. The adverse effects of HS on mineral digestibility and electrolyte balance are not widely studied and information on its abatement through vitamin and micro-mineral supplementation in combinations above the recommended level in pigs is limited. The aim of this study is to research this area. Thirty-six Danbred hybrid barrows (65.1 ± 2.81kg) were distributed among the four treatments (n = 9 per treatment): (1) thermo-neutral (19.5 ± 0.9 °C, RH- 85.9 ± 7.3%)+ control diet (TC) (NRC, 2012), (2) HS (28.9 ± 0.9 °C, RH- 60.4 ± 4.3%) + control diet (HC), (3) HS +diet with elevated levels of vitamins (vitamin E and C) and micro-minerals (Zn and Se) (HT1), and (4) HS + diet with further elevation of vitamins and micro-minerals (HT2). Plasma samples were collected on days 7 and 21 of the experiment to investigate electrolyte concentration. During the experimental period, feces samples were collected from pigs placed in digestibility cages (six pigs from each treatment) to investigate the digestibility of Ca, P, Na, Se, and Zn. HS did not decrease the digestibility of minerals, but elevated supplementation of the selected vitamins and trace minerals improved it significantly. HS caused a significant decrease of Cl− (p < 0.01) in plasma, indicating an imbalance. In conclusion, pigs can have some resilience against heat stress in terms of mineral digestibility. Proper vitamin and trace mineral supplementation are key factors in the ability of pigs to overcome the negative effects of HS.

The Role of Vitamins in Mitigating the Effects of Various Stress Factors in Pigs Breeding

“…Supplementing pigs with vitamin A during heat stress conditions has been shown to have beneficial effects on their performance and health. Vitamin A supplementation can improve mineral digestibility, correct electrolyte imbalances, and enhance overall resilience to heat stress [75]. In addition to the challenges posed by diseases in swine, the impact of heat-induced stress on pigs further underscores the multifaceted concerns within the swine industry.…”

“…They found that while it did not reduce oxidative stress during cyclic heat stress, it did alleviate respiratory alkalosis, suggesting its potential as a summer ration supplement [166]. Additionally, a combination of vitamin E and selenium at elevated levels above recommendations has been shown to improve mineral digestibility, including calcium, selenium, and zinc, despite heat stress exposure [75]. Selenium, in the form of selenocysteine (SeCys) within selenoproteins like selenoprotein P (SelP) and extracellular glutathione peroxidase (GPx3), acts as a vital constituent, shielding cells against oxidative stress by counteracting reactive oxygen species (ROS) [167,168].…”

“…Signs of toxicity include anorexia, hair loss, liver and kidney damage, edema, hoof loss, and nervous system disorders. However, increasing dietary antioxidants like selenium and vitamin E above standard levels can reduce intestinal leakiness caused by heat stress, highlighting the importance of oxidative stress in compromising intestinal barrier integrity in heat-stressed pigs [75,76,105].…”

A Review on the Effects of Micronutrients in Heat Stress Alleviation in Dairy Animals

“…Recent research has demonstrated that combining micronutrients (Zn, Se, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C) has improved animals' resistance to the harmful effects of heat stress. Animal performance under HS may be improved by the substances' capacity to prevent cell damage and enhance intestinal integrity and renal function [10]. The metabolic and physiological processes of several species of animals can also be improved by adding vitamins and minerals [11,12].…”