Supplementation of pigs diet with zinc and copper as alternative to conventional antimicrobials

Abstract

Modern commercial pig farming systems inflict increased stress in animals, which often leads to various negative changes in the gastro-intestinal tract, especially in the case of piglets. Ban of antibiotics, used as growth promoters, has caused a need for alternatives to conventional antimicrobials in swine diets. Use of pre-/or probiotics, organic acids and plant extracts is often recommended, but it seems that zinc oxide and cooper salts, which were traditionally included in high doses to piglets diet, possess the highest efficacy. In commercial conditions feeding piglets with high doses of Zn and/or Cu stimulates piglets daily gain and decreases feed conversion factor. However, as heavy metals Zn and Cu tend to accumulate in soil and cause serious environmental pollution of soil and tap-water. Furthermore, high zinc concentrations (2500÷3000 mg/kg feed) in feed may have an impact on development of antimicrobial resistance, and may regulate the expression of genes that modify piglets' immune response. Therefore, the use of high doses of ZnO and/or Cu salts, as growth promoter, has always been a subject of discussion, and caused different legal status of such treatment in various EU countries. This short review describes current European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) point of view on the use of ZnO in medicated feed. The higher bioavailability of recently introduced new sources or forms of these metals allows for substantial reduction of dietary inclusion rate, which should have a positive outcome for pigs health and the environment.

Zinc and Copper Reduce Conjugative Transfer of Resistance Plasmids from Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli

“…37 The occurrence of Zn and Cu may have beneficial fertilizing properties, as these are important trace elements for plants, but may also be of environmental concern when present in large quantities, affecting groundwater, surface water, and aquatic animals. [38][39][40][41] We hypothesize that excess levels of Zn and Cu promote transfer of resistance plasmids from ESBL-producing E. coli. The aim of our study was to assess the effect of Zn and Cu on conjugation of bla CMY-2 carrying plasmids from ESBL-producing E. coli collected from retail chicken meat.…”

Antiviral effect of copper chloride on feline calicivirus and synergy with ribavirin in vitro

“…Copper is an indispensable element used in the production of livestock and poultry. Basic copper chloride is an essential additive in feed [16]. Researchers previously found that copper and copper compounds had antiviral effects against dengue virus, in uenza virus, and human immunode ciency virus (HIV) in vitro [17][18][19].…”

Antiviral effect of copper chloride on feline calicivirus and Synergy with Ribavirin in vitro

“…element used in the production of livestock and poultry. Basic copper chloride is an essential additive in feed [16]. Researchers previously found that copper and copper compounds had antiviral effects against dengue virus, influenza virus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in vitro [17][18][19].…”