A high concentration of zinc (as zinc oxide) in diets fed to piglets during the postweaning period potentially modulate the animal’s intestinal microbiota and development of its local immune system, according to an Oct. 7 announcement from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands.

A high zinc intervention was used as a model to study opportunities for dietary interventions to influence gut functionality in pigs, WUR said, citing research published in 2016.

Dr. Dirkjan Schokker with WUR said results from the studies indicate that providing a high-zinc diet from days 14 to 23 postweaning modulates the pig’s gut microbiota composition and intestinal functioning based on effects of gene expression in intestinal tissue.

The effects on the microbiota profile were more pronounced in the distal part compared to the proximal parts of the small intestine, he added. Various gene expression pathways, in part related to the local immune system in the gut, were affected by a high level of zinc in the diet as a model intervention.

In a follow-up study, Schokker said the research team confirmed that the third week after weaning is still an appropriate window to modulate gut functionality and indices of gut health in piglets.

Schokker said while it has been shown that gut health indices can be modulated, information is still lacking on the extent to which the observed changes are beneficial for pigs in different conditions. Therefore, in follow-up research, the researchers will investigate the effects of the same intervention under an immune challenge condition.

WUR said the studies were performed within the framework of the public/private partnership Feed4Foodure. The results of this research contribute to the understanding of possibilities to support gut health and immune competence of piglets via dietary interventions.

The research reports Schokker referenced include:

* "Effects of a High Level of Dietary Zinc as Model Intervention on Intestinal Microbiota & Mucosal Gene Expression in Piglets," and

* "Effects of a High Level of Dietary Zinc over Different Post Weaning Periods on Intestinal Microbiota & Mucosal Gene Expression in Piglets."

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