LOW DIETARY ZINC INTAKE DURING PREGNANCY AND LACTATION OF GILTS. II. EFFECTS ON THE OFFSPRING

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) depletion was induced in pregnant gilts by feeding a diet containing 10 mg kg−1 Zn from day 22 of pregnancy until day 14 of lactation. Offspring of depleted gilts were born with lowered body, liver and gut weights; augmented lung weight; reduced plasma Zn, copper (Cu), ammonia (NH3), and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA); reduced hematocrit; increased glucose and lactate. Delivery problems of the dam caused a high incidence of stillbirths due to intrapartum anoxia. During the first week of age, piglets from depleted gilts exhibited lower body weight and reduced viability; lower plasma Zn, APA and NH3. At 2 wk of age body and organ weights were not different from that of controls; overall mortality was higher; plasma Zn was lower but Cu was higher. Zn-depletion of the dam endangered the outcome of pregnancy and promoted physiological changes in the newborn that affected neonatal growth. Key words: Piglets, viability, hypoxia, zinc