ROLE OF ZINC AND COPPER RATIO ON GROWTH IN PIGLETS

Abstract

ABSTRACT
The effect of zinc and copper ratio on body weight gain was studied on 24 healthy
crossbred (Hampshire ´ Assam local) male piglets with similar body weight at 2 months of
age which were randomly divided into four groups, viz., Control T1, T2 and T3 comprising of 6
piglets in each group. The ratio of zinc and copper supplementation was done to different
groups as for T1 – 125:12.5 ppm; T2 – 150:15 ppm and T3 – 175 : 17.5 ppm. The piglets
were kept under intensive system of rearing following all the managemental practices in the
farm belonging to AICRP on Pig, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University,
Khanapara, Guwahati-22. Body weight of each animal of respective groups was measured
and blood samples were collected at fifteen days interval beginning from 2 months upto 6
months of age. Serum was separated and stored at -20oC for hormonal estimation. The
body weight in all four groups during the trial period clearly revealed that there was gradual
increase in the body weight of pigs which was highest (52.70 ± 0.69 kg) in T3 and lowest
(42.90 ± 0.32 kg) in control group. The serum zinc concentration in all four groups during
the trial period revealed apparent increase with the highest (0.30 ± 0.03 ppm) in T3 and
lowest (0.26 ± 0.03 ppm) in control group. The serum copper concentration was highest
0.25 ± 0.01 ppm) in T3 and lowest (0.21 ± 0.01 ppm) in control group. During the
experimental period, there observed a linear increasing trend of serum copper concentration
in general irrespective of groups. Supplementation of zinc and copper at 175 ppm: 17.5 ppm
per day was found to be beneficial with highest growth.
Key words : Body weight gain, copper, zinc and piglets.