Effects of dietary mineral bioplex in pregnant and lactating sow diets on piglet performance and physiological characteristics

A total of thirty-six Landrace × Large White sows were inseminated with semen of Large White boars and studied in late pregnancy (30 days pre-partum) and lactation phases to determine the effects of trace mineral supplementation in organic (bioplex) and inorganic forms at two levels of supplementation (1 and 2 kg/t) on the reproductive performance of the females and on piglet performance and physiologic characteristics until weaning at 21 days of age. The trace mineral supplements contained 0.0075% selenium, 2.50% zinc, 1.00% manganese, 4.00% iron, 0.25% copper and 0.01% chromium. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme with nine replicates each. The piglets were weighed at birth and at weaning (21 days) and were given a dose of 100 mg of dextran iron on the third day of life. For performance, the mean measure of the litter, including both males and females, was considered. Blood and liver were collected from the piglets at birth (two per farrowing, one male and one female), and milk was collected 10 days thereafter. Increased weight at birth and at 21 days and increased iron content in the blood and liver were found for piglets when the sows were given the organic form of trace minerals. Increased iron content in the milk was observed for higher supplementation with organic minerals only. The blood iron levels indicated a significant increase in levels with the use of the organic minerals. These results indicate important benefits in using trace minerals in organic forms for the performance of both sows and piglets.