Growth, physiological performance, and pork quality of weaner large white piglets to different inclusion levels of nano zinc oxide

Abstract

Thirty intensively reared piglets averaged 7.6 ± 0.32 kg were used for the experiment. The piglets were randomly allotted to 5 different treatments: 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg nano zinc oxide (nZnO; 50 nm), positive control (tylosin 10%), and the negative control (no additive) in a completely randomized design. Data were collected for weight changes, blood parameters, and carcass and meat quality characteristics. Piglets supplemented with 200 mg/kg had elevated (P < 0.05) weight gain, while those supplemented with 400 and 600 mg/kg nZnO had higher comparable weight gains, while the control groups had the least comparable weight gain values. Pigs fed 600 mg/kg of nano zinc had the highest albumin concentrations with the least values observed in 200 and 400 mg/kg groups. Pigs offered tylosin 10% and 600 mg/kg had higher comparable total protein, while those fed control diet had the lowest total protein concentration. Pigs supplemented with nZnO had highest comparable values for slaughter weights. The supplementation of 600 mg/kg had elevated values of villi height, while the groups supplemented with 200 and 400 mg/kg had a similar trend, and the control had the least comparable values of villi height. It could be concluded that the supplementation of nZnO at a dietary dose of 600 mg/kg gave the best performance in terms of intestinal morphology (villus height), growth performance, meat quality, and immune response.