Zinc status and indicators of intestinal health in enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F18 challenged newly weaned pigs fed diets with different levels of zinc.

This study investigated the impact of an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) F18 challenge on newly weaned pigs when fed one of three Zn levels (150, 1,400, or 2,500 ppm) on performance, Zn status, ETEC shedding, and diarrhea. The ETEC challenge was hypothesized to have a more pronounced negative impact on pigs fed a diet containing 150 ppm Zn compared to 1,400 or 2,500 ppm Zn for 14 d after weaning. The study included 72 ETEC F18 susceptible pigs weaned at ~28 d of age (d 0 of the study).

Determination of the optimal dietary zinc content for pigs between 10 and 30 kg body weight.

The Zn requirement of pigs immediately after weaning is more investigated compared to the Zn requirement in the growth period between 10 and 30 kg. Unabsorbed and excessive dietary Zn is excreted mainly through feces, and spreading pig slurry to fields can cause environmental issues because high levels of Zn can impair plant growth and contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance genes in microorganisms. Therefore, more precise knowledge of Zn requirements and dietary Zn recommendations is important.