Evaluating the Efficacy of Dietary Organic and Inorganic Trace Minerals in Reproducing Female Pigs on Reproductive Performance and Body Mineral Composition
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EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF DIETARY ORGANIC AND INORGANIC TRACE MINERALS IN REPRODUCING FEMALE PIGS ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND BODY MINERAL COMPOSITION DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By James C. Peters, M.S. ***** The Ohio State University 2006 Dissertation Committee: Dr. Donald C. Mahan Approved by Dr. William F. Pope Dr. Steven K. St. Martin Dr. Sandra G. Velleman Adviser Dr. Henry N. Zerby Graduate Program in Animal Sciences ABSTRACT Sow nutrient demands have increased during past decades, yet mineral recommendations for reproducing females have remained essentially unchanged. To compensate for the greater needs of high producing sows, diets are commonly formulated to levels that are in excess of NRC mineral recommendations. However, the efficacy of these higher levels has not been evaluated. Additionally, the use of organic trace minerals is increasing, however their utility in sow diets has not been widely investigated. Organic trace minerals are expected to be more available and may affect mineral retention in tissues, even at lower supplementation levels. In our first experiment 375 farrowings over 6 parities were used to evaluated diets which contained either inorganic or organic sources of trace minerals provided at 1998 NRC recommended levels (NRC) or higher levels (Ind.). Two additional treatments evaluated the Ind. level of both sources, but with additional Ca and P (Ind+Ca/P). Sows fed the organic trace minerals farrowed more total and live pigs, with heavier litters at birth. Sows fed the Ind+Ca/P level tended to have fewer (P < 0.10) total pigs born and lower (P < 0.05) litter birth weights. These results suggest that feeding organic trace mineral resulted in more pigs born. However, there was no improvement in reproductive performance when feeding higher dietary levels. In our second experiment trace mineral sources and levels were evaluated on sows in a commercial setting. The organic and inorganic trace mineral sources were provided to sows at NRC and Ind. levels over 6 parities. Numbers of live pigs born were similar for all treatment. Feeding the Ind. level of both sources resulted in more pigs weaned and heavier litter weaning weights, suggesting a response to the higher dietary trace minerals level. Sow retention was similar for all treatments. The effects of sow dietary trace mineral source on the Fe status of neonatal pigs and the postnatal carry-over of Fe to the progeny were evaluated in our third experiment. The results suggested that there was minimal carryover of Fe from sows fed either trace mineral source and that pigs required a Fe injection during the initial days of birth to prevent anemia. ii An experiment evaluated the effects of dietary trace mineral source and level on the mineral status of sows. After weaning at parities 1, 2, 4, and 6, sows from our first experiment were selected for determination of body mineral content. In addition, the effects of the sow trace mineral treatments on mineral transfer to the progeny were evaluated. Total sow body and liver Se content were greater (P < 0.05) when the organic source and the Ind. and Ind.+Ca/P levels were fed. Overall there were no other effects of trace mineral source on sow mineral content, however total body Cu content was greater (P < 0.05) at the higher trace mineral levels. Sow liver Cu and Zn contents were lower (P < 0.05) at the NRC level. There were no effects of trace mineral source or level on neonatal pig mineral contents. Colostrum and milk Se increased at the higher dietary levels when the organic source was fed, but not when the inorganic source was fed. Milk Cu and Zn concentrations were lowest at the NRC level. Total body mineral concentrations of Cu, Fe, and Mn were higher (P < 0.05) for pigs from the sows fed the organic source. Concentrations of Mn and Zn were greater when the higher trace mineral levels were fed. However, liver concentrations were not affected by trace mineral source or level. These results suggest that trace mineral source and level had little effect on sow mineral content. However, the organic mineral source and higher Cu and Zn levels seemed to improve transfer of trace minerals to the nursing pig. Our final experiment evaluated the effects of dietary trace mineral source and level on the mineral status of gilts maintained in a non-gravid state from 8 to 35 months of age which is equivalent to a six parity period. The content of all minerals increased between 8 and 35 months of age. When organic trace minerals were fed to non-gravid gilts, total body and liver Cu content were lower, but total body Fe content was greater. Trace mineral source did not affect Mn or Zn contents. Total body Cu and liver Cu, Mn, and Zn contents were greater at the higher trace mineral levels. Total sow body Se content were greater (P < 0.05) when the organic source and the Ind. and Ind.+Ca/P levels were fed. Total empty body and liver macro-mineral quantities were not affected by trace mineral source and level. The overall results of this research suggest that feeding reproducing sows organic trace minerals increased sow reproductive performance. However, sow mineral status was not consistently affected by trace mineral source, suggesting that other factors may be involved in the increased sow productivity. Feeding higher dietary levels of either trace mineral source demonstrated that except for a few trace minerals, particularly Se and Zn, being higher in the sow liver, milk, and progeny, there were few beneficial effects. iii Dedicated to my wife Susan and daughter Madison Gayle iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to express my sincere appreciation to my advisor Dr. Donald C. Mahan for his guidance and belief in my abilities throughout my graduate studies. He has provided great support and direction my research project. He also exhibited great patience as I made strides to become a swine nutritionist. I would like to thank Ken Mays and Larry Warnock, the managers at the OSU Swine Center; for helping conduct these experiments. I would also like to thank the student farm employees, especially Jason Beagly, who helped with these experiments. Thanks go to Frank Cihla, Mauria Watts, Starr Fischer, and Yadira Malavez for assistance in the laboratory and with sow processing. I would also like to thank Jack Bardall for aid in feed manufacturing, Kevin Jewell for mineral analysis, and Burt Bishop for statistical analysis. Thanks to Dr. Steve Moeller for providing the ultrasound equipment used in this project and for interpreting the images. I thank Dr. Henry Zerby and Gary Dunlap of the OSU Meat Lab for their assistance with arranging and conducting the harvesting of the sows. Thanks to Allen Bridges, Rachel Howdyshell, and other graduate and undergraduate students for assisting in the rather unpleasant chore of separating and cleaning visceral organs. I would like to thank Kim Turnley (Alltech Australia) and Dr. David Henman (QAF Meat Industries, Corowa, NSW) for conducting the commercial sow study. My sincere appreciation is expressed to Dr. Karl Dawson (Alltech, Nicholasville, KY) for providing generous financial support I am greatly indebted to Nathan Fastinger and Ted Wiseman for assisting with my graduate work and expanding my thinking about swine nutrition. They were of tremendous help in my work and provided never-ending support and friendship. Most of all, I want like to thank my wife, Susan, for her unwavering support and encouragement. Without her, none of this would have been possible. She has unselfishly made numerous sacrifices so that I could continue my education. v Susan has exhibited extreme patience while I continued my education. Most importantly, she believes in me. Additionally, I want to thank my daughter Madison for providing me with further motivation to succeed and another smiling face to come home to at night. vi VITA February 4, 1976 ..................................... ............ Born, Steubenville, Ohio 1998 .................................................................... B.S. Agriculture, The Ohio State University 1998-2000 ........................................................... Graduate Research Associate, Department of Animal Sciences The Ohio State University 2000 .................................................................... M.S. Agriculture, The Ohio State University 2000 to present ................................................... Graduate Research Associate, Department of Animal Sciences The Ohio State University PUBLICATIONS Mahan, D.C. and J.C. Peters. 2004. Long-term effects of dietary organic and inorganic selenium sources and levels on reproducing sows and their progeny. J. Anim. Sci. 82:1343-1358. Mahan, D.C., N.D. Fastinger, and J.C. Peters. 2004. Effects of diet complexity and dietary lactose levels during three starter phases on postweaning pig performance. J. Anim. Sci. 82:2790-2797. FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Animal Sciences vii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract.....................................................................................................................................ii Dedication.................................................................................................................................iv Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................v Vita ........................................................................................................................................vii