TRENDING FILE 50 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE May 2022 After the decision to ban the medicinal use of zinc oxide in piglet diets, industry is seeking for feed additives which can reduce the risk of digestive disorders in critical phases like the post-weaning period. Specific potentiated form of zinc oxide can be used in premixes at nutritional levels without prescription and can efficiently modulates intestinal bacterial populations and improve gut barrier function. PHARMACOLOGICAL ZnO: HAVE WE EVER KNOWN HOW IT WORKS? First it is needed to remind that only the pharmacological usage of zinc oxide in piglet diets is currently concerned by the ban. This means that the prohibition of ZnO in the European Union is restricted to medicated feeds which are prescribed by qualified veterinarians. This does not apply to the nutritional usage of zinc oxide which is routinely included in premixes and remains the dominant source of zinc utilised by the feed industry. Zinc is an essential nutrient that play a crucial role in the body (modulation of the immune system, antioxidant pathways, cellular permeability…). Zinc deficiency can lead to a reduction on feed intake, increase of paracellular permeability, weakness of the immune system, etc. In other words, no feeding strategy should be entirely void of zinc, as the mineral absolutely needs to be supplied. Pharmacological dosage of ZnO provides high quantity of zinc, in a period where feed intake is depleted, completed by interesting antimicrobial properties and is well known for its effect on diarZnO MODE OF ACTION IN PIGLETS: FOCUS ON ZN BLOOD LEVELS, ITS HOMEOSTASIS AND ADG “Zinc is an essential nutrient that play a crucial role in the body. Zinc deficiency can lead to a reduction on feed intake, increase of paracellular permeability, weakness of the immune system, etc. In other words, no feeding strategy should be entirely void of zinc, as the mineral absolutely needs to be supplied.” Agathe Roméo R&D manager Animine Jennifer Maurin Marketing & Sales Director Animine
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