HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Tremblay, G. F. Articles by Brisson, G. J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Tremblay, G. F. Articles by Brisson, G. J.

Serum Zinc, Iron and Copper Status during Early Gestation in Sows Fed a Folic Acid-Supplemented Diet^1,2,

Université Laval, Québec, Canada G1K 7P4

Abstract

The purpose of this trial was to determine whether an addition of folic acid to a commercial diet would affect serum Zn, Fe and Cu status in sows between weaning and 30 d of gestation. At weaning, 162 sows were assigned randomly to six groups and housed in individual cages fitted on a slatted floor. There were six treatments according to a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement: two levels of supplementary folic acid (0 and 5 mg/kg of diet) and three treatments to stimulate ovulation (none, flushing and pregnant mare serum gonadotropin [PMSG] i.m. injection). Control groups were fed a commercial-type diet, and folic acid-treated groups were fed the same diet supplemented with 5 mg/kg of pteroylglutamic acid. All sows were mated twice within 7 d after weaning. Of the 162 animals originally selected, 123 sows were pregnant and used in this trial. Serum folates, Zn, Cu and Fe were measured at weaning, mating and 30 d of gestation. Serum Cu, Zn and folates increased between weaning and mating, and then decreased to 30 d of gestation. Supplementing the commercial diet with folic acid elevated serum folates between weaning and d 30 of gestation (P < .001). Folic acid supplementation also was associated with a higher level of serum Zn at 30 d of gestation. Supplemental folic acid had no effect on the pattern of serum Cu and Fe throughout the experiment. Contrary to serum folates, Zn and Cu, serum Fe decreased between weaning and mating and increased thereafter. Flushing and PMSG treatments did not influence serum folates, trace mineral levels, or postweaning weight of sows. More work is needed to clarify the metabolic interrelationships between folic acid and Zn and to determine the exact requirements of gestating swine for folic acid.

¹ This research was made possible through grant No. G1243, Natl. Sci. and Eng. Res. Council of Canada (NSERC). Publication fees were paid by the Conseil des Recherches et Services Agricoles du Québec (CRSAQ). The senior author is thankful for a postgraduate scholarship granted by NSERC.

² The authors acknowledge the collaboration and assistance of P. Gagnon and B. Maltais of La Ferme Olympique Enr., St-Pierre de Broughton, Québec.

³ Present address: Exp. Farm, Agriculture Canada, Normandin, Québec, Canada G0W 2E0.

⁴ Res. Sta., Agriculture Canada, Lennoxville, Québec, Canada, J1M 1Z3.

⁵ Dept. de zootechnie and Centre de recherche en nutrition, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				F. Guay, J. J. Matte, C. L. Girard, M.-F. Palin, A. Giguere, and J.-P. Laforest Effect of folic acid and glycine supplementation on embryo development and folate metabolism during early pregnancy in pigs J Anim Sci, August 1, 2002; 80(8): 2134 - 2143. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]