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Effect of Copper Sulfate and Other Chemotherapeutics in Growing Swine Rations¹

Iowa Agricultural and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames^,3

Abstract

Four trials involving 528 crossbred pigs were conducted to study the effectiveness of copper sulfate as a feed additive in growing swine rations. The first trial indicated that 0.1% copper sulfate (CuS₄·5₂O) is the optimum level for rapid growth rate and efficient feed conversion. The combination of copper sulfate and 3N4HPAA in the second trial resulted in responses no greater than copper sulfate alone. In that trial copper sulfate increased the fecal mold and yeast count much as would an antibiotic. In the third trial copper sulfate resulted in an improved growth rate. None of the antifungal antibiotics (nystatin, phytoactin, phytostreptin or rimocidin) gave further improvement when added in combination with copper sulfate, and none of them depressed the fecal mold and yeast count. The combination of copper sulfate and either oleandomycin or oxytetracycline in the fourth trial appeared to give an additive effect with respect to growth rate. The tissue studies for copper showed no statistically significant differences in the copper content of the loin between pigs fed a ration containing 0.1 percent copper sulfate and those fed the control ration. However, this level of copper increased liver copper 10 fold (29 to 293 ppm). Copper sulfate significantly increased lactobacilli, total aerobes, total anaerobes and streptococci organisms. The antibiotics significantly increased the fecal count of coliforms and molds and yeasts and decreased the streptococci organisms.

¹ Journal Paper No. J-3907 of the Iowa Agricultural and Home Economics Experiment Station, Ames, Iowa. Project No. 930.

² The authors gratefully acknowledge Chas. Pfizer & Co., Terre Haute, Indiana and Dr. Salsburys Laboratories, Charles City, Iowa for grants-in-aid and materials which partially supported this research.

³ Department of Animal Husbandry.

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