Zinc oxide enriched peat influence Escherichia coli infection related diarrhea, growth rates, serum and tissue zinc levels in Norwegian piglets around weaning: five case herd trials

Abstract

BackgroundZinc oxide (ZnO), commonly used to control post-weaning diarrhea in piglets, has been highlighted as of potential concern from an environmental perspective. The aim of this field trial was to examine effects of different sources and levels of ZnO added to peat on average daily weight gain (ADG), fecal score in pens and serum and tissue zinc (Zn) levels around time of weaning in order to reduce the environmental impact without loss of the beneficial effect of ZnO on intestinal health and growth. Five case herds with enterotoxic colibacillosis challenges were included. The piglets entered the study aged three or five weeks. All piglets received a commercial diet containing <150 mg Zn/ per kg of complete feed. Four treatment groups received commercial peat added A: uncoated ZnO, B: lipid microencapsulated ZnO, C: solely commercial peat or D: no peat (Farms 2 and 3).ResultsAt Farms 1, 2 and 3, a significant effect of treatment was identified for fecal score (P < 0.05). Treatment A led to lower fecal scores compared to treatments C (P < 0.05) and D (P < 0.01). At Farms 2 and 3, there was a significant difference in individual average daily weight gain (iADG) between treatment A and D (P < 0.05). The iADG of piglets receiving treatment B did not differ significantly from treatment A.ConclusionsIn 2016, The European Medicines Agency’s Committee on Veterinary Medicinal Products concluded that the benefits of ZnO for the prevention of diarrhea in pigs do not outweigh the risks to the environment. Effective alternative measures to reduce the accumulation of Zn in the environment have not been identified. Our results imply that peat added low concentration of both coated and uncoated ZnO influences the gut health of weaned piglets reflected by enhanced weight gain and reduced occurrence of diarrhea. This preventive approach certainly represents a favourable alternative in the “One Health” perspective. It will also contribute to reduced antibiotic use in pig farming while diminishing the environmental consequences caused by ZnO.

Çinko Metionin Şalatın Sütten Kesilmiş Domuz Yavrularında Büyüme Performansı ve Bağışıklık ile IPEC-J2 Hücre İmmun Fonksiyonları Üzerine Etkileri

“…In this experiment, both Met-Zn and ZnSO 4 increased the transformation rate of peripheral lymphocytes and the content of immune globulin in piglets, which indicated that Met-Zn and ZnSO 4 enhance the immune function. These results are consistent with the relevant report [19] , that is, adding 200 mg/kg Met-Zn in the feed increased the concentration of IgG in the piglets. Some studies also reported that zinc oxide and Met-Zn significantly increased the transformation rate of lymphocytes of piglets [20,21] .…”

“…Zinc enters the blood circulation through intestinal mucosa, which meets the requirement of all the immune organs and thus affects the immune response throughout the body. However, in the in vitro test, zinc was absorbed through the zinc transporters at the cell membranes, which only affected the immune response of IPEC-J2 [19] . This likely results in the difference in the expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 between in vivo and in vitro tests.…”

Is Oral Vaccination against Escherichia coli Influenced by Zinc Oxide?

“…The influence of the presence of zinc oxide in feed, both in native high-dose and microencapsulated low-dose forms, has been extensively demonstrated both scientifically and empirically in field trials [32][33][34]. However, in this study, we found significantly higher growth during the first 14 days post-weaning in the groups vaccinated with or without zinc oxide in their feed.…”

Microencapsulated essential oils alleviate diarrhea in weaned piglets by modulating the intestinal microbial barrier as well as not inducing antibiotic resistance: a field research

“…This process also damages cellular tight junctions (4), reduces mucin production (5) that both lead to increases intestinal permeability (6). These processes also alter the intestinal microbiota (7) that can allow for invasion by pathogenic microbes (8) that can set up an inflammatory process (9) that further exacerbates barrier dysfunction at the intestinal mucosa.…”