Effects of birth body weight and zinc source on growth, gut health, and immune response in weaned piglets
Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element for piglets, especially during the challenging post-weaning period. This study investigated the effects of two dietary Zn sources, namely zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and a porous zinc oxide (pZnO), used at the European-authorized dietary level on piglets of differing...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Animal Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fanim.2025.1614280/full |
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| author | Clara Negrini Diana Luise Federico Correa Sara Virdis Andrea Serra Alessio Bonaldo Naiana Manzke Naiana Manzke Alessandra Monteiro Maurizio Mazzoni Paolo Trevisi |
| author_facet | Clara Negrini Diana Luise Federico Correa Sara Virdis Andrea Serra Alessio Bonaldo Naiana Manzke Naiana Manzke Alessandra Monteiro Maurizio Mazzoni Paolo Trevisi |
| author_sort | Clara Negrini |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element for piglets, especially during the challenging post-weaning period. This study investigated the effects of two dietary Zn sources, namely zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and a porous zinc oxide (pZnO), used at the European-authorized dietary level on piglets of differing birth body weights (BBWs): low (LBBW <1 kg) and normal (NBBW >1 kg). At weaning (25 days, d0), 64 piglets were assigned to four groups based on BBW and Zn source and fed diets that reached a total Zn level of 150 mg/kg. Body weight was monitored weekly until d21. On d9 and d21, 32 piglets were slaughtered for gut histology, immunohistochemistry, gene expression, blood markers, pH measurement, microbiota, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) analysis. The NBBW group had higher BW throughout the study (P<0.01), confirming BBW as a key factor influencing growth and physiological maturity. The pZnO group tended to have a higher average daily gain in the periods d0-d9 and d9-d14 (P<0.10). The pZnO reduced jejunum pH at d21 (P = 0.02). The interaction between diet and BBW influenced the nuclear factor kappa B subunit 2 (NFKB2) expression at d9 (P = 0.03), with LBBW piglets fed ZnSO4 showing higher expression. At d21, the interaction between diet and BBW affected the villus height (P = 0.05) and the absorptive mucosal surface (P = 0.02), which were higher in the NBBW group than in the LBBW group fed ZnSO4, while no difference was observed between the NBBW and LBBW groups fed the pZnO. Differences in microbiota beta diversity were associated with BBW (P = 0.07 at d9; P = 0.03 at d21), and taxa abundance varied with Zn source and BBW. Overall, the results demonstrate that the pZnO positively influenced gut health and performance in weaned piglets, particularly in the LBBW group. The differential response to Zn sources according to BBW suggests that tailored mineral strategies could help mitigate the effects of weaning stress in vulnerable piglets. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-69cd9698d2c24bbc80c0b7fef186a46d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2673-6225 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Animal Science |
| spelling | doaj-art-69cd9698d2c24bbc80c0b7fef186a46d2025-08-20T02:36:27ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Animal Science2673-62252025-07-01610.3389/fanim.2025.16142801614280Effects of birth body weight and zinc source on growth, gut health, and immune response in weaned pigletsClara Negrini0Diana Luise1Federico Correa2Sara Virdis3Andrea Serra4Alessio Bonaldo5Naiana Manzke6Naiana Manzke7Alessandra Monteiro8Maurizio Mazzoni9Paolo Trevisi10Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Pisa, Pisa, ItalyDepartment of Medical Veterinary Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, ItalyR&D Department, Animine, Annecy, Annecy, FranceR&D Department, Cargill Incorporated, Elk River, MN, United StatesR&D Department, Animine, Annecy, Annecy, FranceDepartment of Medical Veterinary Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL), University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyZinc (Zn) is an essential trace element for piglets, especially during the challenging post-weaning period. This study investigated the effects of two dietary Zn sources, namely zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and a porous zinc oxide (pZnO), used at the European-authorized dietary level on piglets of differing birth body weights (BBWs): low (LBBW <1 kg) and normal (NBBW >1 kg). At weaning (25 days, d0), 64 piglets were assigned to four groups based on BBW and Zn source and fed diets that reached a total Zn level of 150 mg/kg. Body weight was monitored weekly until d21. On d9 and d21, 32 piglets were slaughtered for gut histology, immunohistochemistry, gene expression, blood markers, pH measurement, microbiota, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) analysis. The NBBW group had higher BW throughout the study (P<0.01), confirming BBW as a key factor influencing growth and physiological maturity. The pZnO group tended to have a higher average daily gain in the periods d0-d9 and d9-d14 (P<0.10). The pZnO reduced jejunum pH at d21 (P = 0.02). The interaction between diet and BBW influenced the nuclear factor kappa B subunit 2 (NFKB2) expression at d9 (P = 0.03), with LBBW piglets fed ZnSO4 showing higher expression. At d21, the interaction between diet and BBW affected the villus height (P = 0.05) and the absorptive mucosal surface (P = 0.02), which were higher in the NBBW group than in the LBBW group fed ZnSO4, while no difference was observed between the NBBW and LBBW groups fed the pZnO. Differences in microbiota beta diversity were associated with BBW (P = 0.07 at d9; P = 0.03 at d21), and taxa abundance varied with Zn source and BBW. Overall, the results demonstrate that the pZnO positively influenced gut health and performance in weaned piglets, particularly in the LBBW group. The differential response to Zn sources according to BBW suggests that tailored mineral strategies could help mitigate the effects of weaning stress in vulnerable piglets.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fanim.2025.1614280/fullgut maturationimmune system activationmicrobiotamineral nutritionweaning |
| spellingShingle | Clara Negrini Diana Luise Federico Correa Sara Virdis Andrea Serra Alessio Bonaldo Naiana Manzke Naiana Manzke Alessandra Monteiro Maurizio Mazzoni Paolo Trevisi Effects of birth body weight and zinc source on growth, gut health, and immune response in weaned piglets Frontiers in Animal Science gut maturation immune system activation microbiota mineral nutrition weaning |
| title | Effects of birth body weight and zinc source on growth, gut health, and immune response in weaned piglets |
| title_full | Effects of birth body weight and zinc source on growth, gut health, and immune response in weaned piglets |
| title_fullStr | Effects of birth body weight and zinc source on growth, gut health, and immune response in weaned piglets |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of birth body weight and zinc source on growth, gut health, and immune response in weaned piglets |
| title_short | Effects of birth body weight and zinc source on growth, gut health, and immune response in weaned piglets |
| title_sort | effects of birth body weight and zinc source on growth gut health and immune response in weaned piglets |
| topic | gut maturation immune system activation microbiota mineral nutrition weaning |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fanim.2025.1614280/full |
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