High dietary levels of zinc oxide (ZnO) have been used in swine production to prevent/control postweaning diarrhea. However, such strategy has been demonstrated to stimulate bacterial resistance to antibiotics and metals. Recently, it was reported that an excessive accumulation of zinc (Zn) in different organs of postweaning piglets stimulated the sequestration of copper (Cu) in the intestinal tissue leading to remarkably lower levels of these trace minerals in liver. This study aimed to assess the impact of increasing levels of this trace mineral in the diet of weaned piglets on mitochondria ATP synthesis and the cellular and systemic redox balance. High dietary levels of Zn, corresponding to 3,000 mg Zn/kg, were found to disturb mitochondria zinc and copper homeostasis leading to a dysfunctional mitochondrial respiratory chain and a disturbed antioxidant response. This study may help develop nutritional strategies to optimize robustness of weaned piglets.

Read the full article in the Journal of Animal Science.