Impact of dietary zinc and copper levels on ileal and total apparent nutrient digestibility in growing pigs

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) levels on their apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and total tract digestibility (ATTD) and that of calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), phosphorus (P), and fiber in pigs. The experiment was carried out with six individuals fitted with a T-cannula. Pigs received one of four diets with two levels of Zn (100 [low] and 500 [high] mg/kg) and Cu (40 [low] and 80 [high] mg/kg). High Zn increased AID of Zn and Mn, but decreased that of Ca ( p < 0.05). High Cu tended to improve AID of Cu, but only when high Zn was used (Interaction Zn × Cu, p = 0.051). ATTD of Zn, Cu, Mn, and P was greater in high Zn ( p < 0.05). High Cu also increased ATTD of Cu, but reduced that of Ca ( p < 0.05) as it likely did for ATTD of P in low Zn (Interaction Zn × Cu, p = 0.065). There was an improving trend for ATTD of NDF (Interaction Zn × Cu, p = 0.069), and ATTD of ADF was increased with a combination of high Zn and high Cu (Interaction Zn × Cu, p < 0.05). This research showed that the levels of Cu and Zn modified the digestibility of minerals but also the degradability of fiber.