ARTICLE 50 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE September 2022 bioavailability, and economic value. Hydroxychloride trace minerals (HTM) provide an interesting choice for leveraging all these attributes. IntelliBond hydroxy trace minerals were designed to form a unique crystalline structure and covalent bonds. This structure delivers low solubility in water. However, intelligent bonding allows the mineral to become soluble and disassociate in conditions where the pH is below 4. This capability to adjust at the critical pH level makes IntelliBond less reactive to other ingredients in the diet and ensures a high relative bioavailability. The combination of low solubility and bioavailability allows the necessary amount of the mineral to be delivered to support optimal animal performance. Minerals play an important role in increasing resilience in pigs, especially in times of increased pressure, such as when an animal experiences heat stress. As heat stress affects the animal, it leads to tight junction dysfunction, increasing the passage of luminal content of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from gram-negative bacteria into the portal and systemic blood circulation. Lipopolysaccharides induce sickness-like behaviors such as lower feed intake and increased body temperature. This situation also stimulates macrophages to synthesize and secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-1β that are responsible for suppression of appetite, inducing fever, and the production of other inflammatory molecules. A trial comparing IntelliBond copper, manganese, and zinc to sulfate mineral sources demonstrates that IntelliBond alleviates the acute immune response by decreasing the expression of serum pro-inflammatory cytokines following an acute (LPS Injection) immune challenge (Figure 1). The source of trace mineral was shown to impact growth performance and immune response during animals’ exposure to a chronic immunity challenge. Pigs fed IntelliBond tended to have greater average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and lower TNF alpha concentration versus those fed sulfates when subjected to an immune challenge. This seems to indicate a higher bioavailability of IntelliBond versus sulfates, leading to an improved immune response, which limits the effects of inflammation on growth (Figure 2). Palatability is an important factor to consider, as pigs have a great perception of taste. During heat stress, strategies for promoting feed acceptance are a priority to maximize feed intake. Several studies have shown pigs prefer diets with IntelliBond C copper source compared to Cu sulfate copper source. The taste perception of the mineral is affected by its chemical structure and solubility. As sulfates are highly soluble in the oral cavity, their solubility can lead to a metallic and bitter taste that pigs are sensitive to, leading to a higher probability of feed refusal. A trial performed to evaluate feed preference showed that it Figure 1. Impact of trace mineral source on health when subjected to an immune challenge
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