The Effect Of Zinc Amino Acid Chelate On The Performance Of Weaning Pigs

This study explored the effect of two zinc amino acid chelates (Zn-AAC and Availa-Zn) and zinc sulphate on the growth performance and blood characters of weaning pigs. The effectiveness of different zinc amino acid chelates was evaluated. The study can provide some useful information insight in zinc amino acid chelates complemented in weaning pig diets.Fifty four hybrid pigs of 28 days old were selected and randomly allotted to one of six dietary treatments. There were three replicates per treatment and three pigs in each replicate. All animals were fed with the same basic diet but with different kinds and proportions of zinc. Pigs in the control group were complemented with 100% ZnSO₄, and the amount of zinc in diets of group 2, 3, 4, and 5 were substituted with 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% Zn - AAC, respectively, whereas group 6 were replaced with 100% Availa - Zn. The 28-day trial included two phases of day 1 to day 14 and day 15 to day 28.It was demonstrated that although the food consumption rate (FCR) did not dramatically change (P>0.05), the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily food intake (ADFI) of pigs fed with Zn-AAC and Availa - Zn were significantly higher than those of the control (P<0.05) with the increase of ADG by 26.1% and 23.4%, respectively, and the ADFI by 23.8% and 26.3%, respectively. The concentrations of serum zinc of the experimental groups were 1.46-fold and 2.08-fold higher than that of the control (P<0.01), with the Availa - Zn being 24.9% higher than Zn-AAC (P<0.05). The amount of IgG and the activity of ALP in the serum of these animals were slightly changed when they were fed with different kinds of zinc (P>0.05). Data obtained in this study also showed that from day 1 to day 14, the ADG of piglets in group 2, 3, 4 and 5 was increased by 22.0% (P>0.05), 38.5% (PO.01), 32.6% (PO.05), and 26.1% (PO.05), respectively, and ADFI, by 23.8% (P>0.05), 25.3% (P>0.05), 23.5% (PO.05), and 23.9% (PO.05), respectively, when compared with the control piglets. From day 15 to day 28, all animals fed with Zn-AAC displayed higher ADFI than those in the control group (PO.05), with no significant change in ADG. The FCR, however, did not show significant shift in both phases (P>0.05). Furthermore, it was revealed that piglets fed diets with 80% and 100% of Zn-AAC 162.9% and 146.4%, higher zinc concentration in the serum than respectively those with 100% of ZnSO₄ (P<0.01). The amount of IgG in the serium rose up as the percentage of Zn-AAC increased, but it was no significant (P>0.05). The activity of ALP in the serum of those animals did not vary significantly.In conclusion, the supplementation of zinc amino acid chelates with normal dosage could increase the ADG, ADFI, the zinc concentration in the serum and the amount of IgG The combination of organic (Zn-AAC) and inorganic (ZnSO₄) zinc is superior to either one.The optimal proportion of Zn-AAC to ZnSO₄ is 60% : 40%.