250 - Effect of Dietary Zinc and Copper Supplements on Digestibility of Minerals in Growing Pigs

Abstract: Dietary zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) supplementation can affect the digestion and absorption of nutrients in pigs, especially of minerals. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary levels of Zn and Cu on their ileal (AID) and total tract (ATTD) digestibility and that of manganese (Mn), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P). Six crossbred pigs were surgically equipped with a single-T cannula in their distal ileum. In cross over design, pigs received one of a four corn-soybean meal diets supplemented by two levels of Zn (100 and 500 mg/kg as Zn oxide) and two levels of Cu (40 and 80 mg / kg as Cu sulfate) for each period (7d with 2d for ileal digesta and feces collection). In this study, high level of Zn increased Zn and Mn AID (P< 0.01) but decreased Ca AID (P< 0.05). The high level of Cu improved Cu AID but only when high level of Zn was used (Zn x Cu, P< 0.051). The ATTD of Zn, Cu, Mn, and P were greater in pigs receiving 500 mg/kg of Zn (P< 0.01). The high level of Cu also increased its ATTD (P< 0.01) but reduced that of Ca when low level of Zn was added (Zn x Cu, P< 0.01). The post-ileal digestibility showed a significant absorption of Cu, Mn and Ca (digestibility different from 0). The post-ileal digestibility of Cu, Mn and Ca was greater when high level of Zn was added (P< 0.05). This study confirmed that the AID and ATTD of Cu and Zn could be affected by the dietary level of Zn and Cu in growing pigs. This study also showed that high levels of Cu and Zn reduced ATTD and AID of Ca but increased P ATTD. This last result is contradictory and must be confirmed by the analysis of phytic P.