Using Shotgun Sequencing to Describe the Changes Induced by In-Feed Zinc Oxide and Apramycin in the Microbiomes of Pigs One Week Postweaning

Abstract

Weaning is a critical period for piglets, during which potentially harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli can increase in abundance in the intestine, creating digestive problems and diarrhea. In-feed antibiotics, the most frequent administration route for antibiotics in livestock, and therapeutic doses of zinc oxide (ZnO) help to control diarrhea but prompt secondary problems such as antimicrobial resistance and soil pollution from heavy metals.