J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1981. 53:1292-1296.
© 1981 American Society of Animal Science
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Effect of Dietary Vitamin C Addition on Performance, Plasma Vitamin C and Hematic Iron Status in Weanling Pigs1

J. T. Yen and W. G. Pond

US Department of Agriculture2,3,, Clay Center, NE 68933

Abstract

Each of 64 pigs weaned between 4 and 5 weeks of age was fed ad libitum one of four diets: (1) a basal 18% crude protein, corn-soybean meal-oats-dried whey starter diet or (2,3,4) the basal diet supplemented with 330, 660 or 990 ppm L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C). The pigs were kept in groups of four and housed in an environmentally regulated nursery with a raised, expanded metal floor. The room temperature was maintained at 21 C and floor allowance was .54 m2/pig. After 28 days, dietary vitamin C supplementation had improved daily weight gain and daily feed intake of pigs without altering gain to feed ratio. Plasma vitamin C concentration decreased during the 4 weeks period after weaning in pigs not fed supplemental vitamnin C but not in those fed supplemental vitamin C. Plasma Fe was reduced at day 28 in pigs given supplemental vitamin C. Simple correlation indicated a positive (P<.05) relationships between plasma vitamin C and plasma Fe concentration. Results obtained suggest that, under the experimental conditions, young pigs weaned between 4 and 5 weeks of age require dietary vitamin C supplementation for maximum weight gain and that the benefit of vitamin C addition may be related to Fe metabolism.

Footnotes

1 The authors are grateful to Dr. R. N. Lindvall and associates for animal care and feeding; to Scott McDowell and Dale Hill for technical assistance, and to Peggy Green and Sherry Hanson for stenographic work.

2 Roman L. Hruska US Meat Animal Research Center, AR, SEA.

3 Mention of a trade name, proprietary product or specific equipment does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the USDA and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may also suitable






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Copyright © 1981 by the American Society of Animal Science.