The effect of copper level on nutrient utilization of weanling pigs.

Abstract

The effect of addition of 15 or 250 ppm of Cu (as CuSO4.5H2O) and 0 or 5% added animal fat on the utilization of nutrients by weanling pigs was evaluated. Two trials were conducted with four groups of four littermate barrows (6.8 kg, 26 d) in each trial. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 x 2 factorial. Data were collected at the beginning of the trial and at the end of each 3-d period. There were no treatment x period interactions (P > .15). There was a Cu level x fat level interaction for ADG (P < .01), feed efficiency (P < .01), N intake (P < .09), fat intake (P < .01), and ash intake (P < .09). Pigs fed 250 ppm of Cu and 5% fat had increased ADG and gain:feed, whereas pigs fed 5% fat and 15 ppm of Cu had decreased ADG and gain:feed compared to pigs fed the other treatments. Apparent digestibility of DM and ash and N retention were increased (P < .05) by the addition of 250 ppm of Cu, whereas the addition of 5% fat decreased (P < .05) DM and ash digestibility. Fat digestibility increased from 28.3% to 75.6% when 5% fat was added to the diet containing 15 ppm of Cu and from 60.8% to 85.1% when 5% fat was added to the diet containing 250 ppm of Cu (Cu level x fat level, P < .01). Pigs fed diets containing 5% fat and 15 ppm of Cu had decreased (P < .06) Na, Cu, Fe, and Zn retention compared to pigs fed the other diets.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of different levels of copper on growth performance and cecal ecosystem of newly weaned piglets

“…In the current study, ADG, ADFI and F/G were improved during the first two weeks and over the entire experimental period. The supplementation of copper improved both piglet growth performance and apparent digestibility of protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus and these findings are in good agreement with a previous studies in which high dietary copper levels improved animal growth and digestibility of nutrients (Dove, 1995). Piglets fed diet with 250 mg/kg -1 copper may improve the activities of digestive enzymes (Luo and Dove, 1996).…”

Effects of dietary copper supplementation on nutrient digestibility, serum biochemical indices, and growth rate of young female mink (Neovison vison)

“…In our study, EE digestibility was increased with increasing dietary Cu levels. Similar results were reported in pigs (Dove 1995;Luo and Dove 1996) and in Black Bengal kids (Datta et al 2007). Luo and Dove (1996) reported that the addition of 250 mg/kg Cu improved digestibility and utilization of fat in weanling pigs.…”

“…Luo and Dove (1996) reported that the addition of 250 mg/kg Cu improved digestibility and utilization of fat in weanling pigs. The improvement in apparent fat digestibility due to Cu addition (more than 48 mg/kg) observed in the present study and the previous study may also be partially due to increased lipase and phospholipase A activities in the small intestine (Dove 1995;Luo and Dove 1996). Moreover, Cu functions biochemically as a component of several Cu-dependent enzymes and as a co-factor for numerous other enzymes.…”

“…Besides being an essential nutrient, Cu has received considerable attention due to its growth promoting and antimicrobial properties in animals when it has been fed at prophylactic levels (Zhou et al 1994b;Pang et al 2009;Lu et al 2010;Karimi et al 2011). Studies by Dove and Haydon (1992) and Dove (1995) have indicated that addition of 250 ppm Cu improved digestibility and utilization of the fat of weaned pigs. However, dietary Cu supplementation may have beneficial effects on digestibility and utilization of the fat of mink since typical mink diets usually contain considerable amounts of fat.…”

The effect of reduced levels of inorganic and organic trace mineral supplementation on performance, carcass traits, and fecal excretion of grow-finish swine

“…Apparent digestibility values for Cu, Fe, and Zn during each collection phase were calculated according to the procedures outlined by Dove (1995):…”