Changes in growth performance, nutrient digestibility, immune blood profiles, fecal microbial and fecal gas emission of growing pigs in response to zinc aspartic acid chelate

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of zinc aspartic acid chelate (Zn-ASP) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles, fecal microbial and fecal gas emission in growing pigs. METHODS: A total of 160 crossbred ([Landrace×Yorkshire]×Duroc) growing pigs with an initial body weight (BW) of 25.56±2.22 kg were used in a 6-wk trial. Pigs were randomly allocated into 1 of 4 treatments according to their sex and BW (8 replicates with 2 gilts and 3 barrows per replication pen). Treatments were as follows: i) CON, basal diet, ii) TRT1, CON+0.1% Zn-ASP, iii) TRT2, CON+0.2% Zn-ASP, and iv) TRT3, CON+0.3% Zn-ASP. Pens were assigned in a randomized complete block design to compensate for known position effects in the experimental facility. RESULTS: In the current study, BW, average daily gain, and gain:feed ratio showed significant improvement as dietary Zn-ASP increased (p<0.05) in growing pigs. Apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of dry matter was increased linearly (p<0.05) in pigs fed with Zn-ASP diets. A linear effect (p<0.05) was detected for the Zn concentration in blood with the increasing levels of Zn-ASP supplementation. Lactic acid bacteria and coliform bacteria were affected linearly (p<0.05) in pigs fed with Zn-ASP diets. However, no significant differences were observed in the ATTD of nitrogen, energy and Zn. And dietary Zn-ASP supplementation did not affect fecal ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and total mercaptans emissions in growing pigs. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, dietary supplementation with Zn-ASP of diet exerted beneficial effects on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profiles and fecal microbes in growing pigs.