Towards Zero Zinc Oxide: Feeding Strategies to Manage Post-Weaning Diarrhea in Piglets
Zinc oxide (ZnO) at pharmacological doses is extensively employed in the pig industry as an effective tool to manage post-weaning diarrhea (PWD), a condition that causes huge economic losses because of its impact on the most pivotal phase of a piglet’s production cycle. In a multifactorial way, ZnO...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/3/642 |
| _version_ | 1827604954475397120 |
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| author | Andrea Bonetti Benedetta Tugnoli Andrea Piva Ester Grilli |
| author_facet | Andrea Bonetti Benedetta Tugnoli Andrea Piva Ester Grilli |
| author_sort | Andrea Bonetti |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Zinc oxide (ZnO) at pharmacological doses is extensively employed in the pig industry as an effective tool to manage post-weaning diarrhea (PWD), a condition that causes huge economic losses because of its impact on the most pivotal phase of a piglet’s production cycle. In a multifactorial way, ZnO exerts a variety of positive effects along the entire gastrointestinal tract by targeting intestinal architecture, digestive secretions, antioxidant systems, and immune cells. ZnO also has a moderate antibacterial effect against <i>Escherichia coli</i> F4 (K88), the main causative agent of PWD. However, the environmental impact of ZnO and new emerging threats are posing serious questions to the sustainability of its extensive utilization. To work towards a future free from pharmacological ZnO, novel nutritional approaches are necessary, and many strategies have been investigated. This review article provides a comprehensive framework for ZnO utilization and its broad mode of action. Moreover, all the risks related to pharmacological ZnO levels are presented; we focus on European institutions’ decisions subsequently. The identification of a novel, complete solution against PWD should be accompanied by the adoption of holistic strategies, thereby combining good management practices to feeding approaches capable of mitigating <i>Escherichia coli</i> F4 (K88) infections and/or lowering ZnO utilization. Promising results can be obtained by adjusting diet composition or employing organic acids, natural identical compounds, polyphenol-rich extracts, prebiotics, and probiotics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:11:47Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9f535aea0614496fa2a30f36537a5f7a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T06:11:47Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-9f535aea0614496fa2a30f36537a5f7a2023-12-03T11:57:38ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152021-02-0111364210.3390/ani11030642Towards Zero Zinc Oxide: Feeding Strategies to Manage Post-Weaning Diarrhea in PigletsAndrea Bonetti0Benedetta Tugnoli1Andrea Piva2Ester Grilli3Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie (DIMEVET), Università di Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), ItalyVetagro S.p.A., via Porro 2, 42124 Reggio Emilia, ItalyDipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie (DIMEVET), Università di Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), ItalyDipartimento di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie (DIMEVET), Università di Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano dell’Emilia (BO), ItalyZinc oxide (ZnO) at pharmacological doses is extensively employed in the pig industry as an effective tool to manage post-weaning diarrhea (PWD), a condition that causes huge economic losses because of its impact on the most pivotal phase of a piglet’s production cycle. In a multifactorial way, ZnO exerts a variety of positive effects along the entire gastrointestinal tract by targeting intestinal architecture, digestive secretions, antioxidant systems, and immune cells. ZnO also has a moderate antibacterial effect against <i>Escherichia coli</i> F4 (K88), the main causative agent of PWD. However, the environmental impact of ZnO and new emerging threats are posing serious questions to the sustainability of its extensive utilization. To work towards a future free from pharmacological ZnO, novel nutritional approaches are necessary, and many strategies have been investigated. This review article provides a comprehensive framework for ZnO utilization and its broad mode of action. Moreover, all the risks related to pharmacological ZnO levels are presented; we focus on European institutions’ decisions subsequently. The identification of a novel, complete solution against PWD should be accompanied by the adoption of holistic strategies, thereby combining good management practices to feeding approaches capable of mitigating <i>Escherichia coli</i> F4 (K88) infections and/or lowering ZnO utilization. Promising results can be obtained by adjusting diet composition or employing organic acids, natural identical compounds, polyphenol-rich extracts, prebiotics, and probiotics.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/3/642zinc oxidepost-weaning diarrhea<i>Escherichia coli</i> F4K88ETECpiglet |
| spellingShingle | Andrea Bonetti Benedetta Tugnoli Andrea Piva Ester Grilli Towards Zero Zinc Oxide: Feeding Strategies to Manage Post-Weaning Diarrhea in Piglets Animals zinc oxide post-weaning diarrhea <i>Escherichia coli</i> F4 K88 ETEC piglet |
| title | Towards Zero Zinc Oxide: Feeding Strategies to Manage Post-Weaning Diarrhea in Piglets |
| title_full | Towards Zero Zinc Oxide: Feeding Strategies to Manage Post-Weaning Diarrhea in Piglets |
| title_fullStr | Towards Zero Zinc Oxide: Feeding Strategies to Manage Post-Weaning Diarrhea in Piglets |
| title_full_unstemmed | Towards Zero Zinc Oxide: Feeding Strategies to Manage Post-Weaning Diarrhea in Piglets |
| title_short | Towards Zero Zinc Oxide: Feeding Strategies to Manage Post-Weaning Diarrhea in Piglets |
| title_sort | towards zero zinc oxide feeding strategies to manage post weaning diarrhea in piglets |
| topic | zinc oxide post-weaning diarrhea <i>Escherichia coli</i> F4 K88 ETEC piglet |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/3/642 |
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