Performance and mineral fecal excretion of post weaned piglets are influenced by different sources of zinc oxide

The study aimed to evaluate the impact of the supplementation on post weaning diets of the conventional source of zinc oxide (ZnO) and/or a potentiated source of zinc oxide (PZnO) and different (P) levels on productive performance, incidence of diarrhea, (Zn) and (Cu) fecal excretion. Eighty-four pigs weaned at 21 days of age were allocated in a randomized block design with four dietary treatments [T1: no inclusion of ZnO and regular P levels (0.440%; 0.420%; 0.400%; 0.380%); T2: inclusion of ZnO and regular P levels (0.440%; 0.420%; 0.400%; 0.380%); T3: ZnO and PZnO and 10% low P levels (0.396%; 0.379%; 0.360%; 0.340%); T4: inclusion of the PZnO and 10% low P levels (0.396%; 0.379%; 0.360%; 0.340%)], with seven replications and three pigs/pen. The nutritional program was: (pre-starter 1: d 21 to 28; pre-starter II: d 28 to 35; starter I: d 35 to 49; and starter II: d 49 to 63). The Tukey test was adopted to compare the means (SAS, 9.3). From d 1 to 14, T2 improved ADG (P < 0.05) and BW (P < 0.05) at d 14. From the period of d1 to d28, pigs fed with T2 diets showed higher ADG (P < 0.05), ADFI (P < 0.05) and, consequently, higher BW (P < 0.05) at d 28. From d 1 to 42, pigs fed with PZnO diet performed the highest ADFI (P < 0.05). Evaluating overall data of diarrhea, T2 reduced the incidence of diarrhea (P < 0.05). T4 reduced Zn and P fecal excretion during the period from d 7 to 28 (P < 0.05). Therefore, the use of ZnO and PZnO provide the same performance results of piglets on the period from d 1 to 42 after weaning. Furthermore, the inclusion of PZnO reduces the Zn and P fecal excretion. Keywords: additive