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Review
. 2021 Feb 28;11(3):642.
doi: 10.3390/ani11030642.

Towards Zero Zinc Oxide: Feeding Strategies to Manage Post-Weaning Diarrhea in Piglets

Andrea Bonetti  1 , Benedetta Tugnoli  2 , Andrea Piva  1   2 , Ester Grilli  1   3
Affiliations
Review

Towards Zero Zinc Oxide: Feeding Strategies to Manage Post-Weaning Diarrhea in Piglets

Andrea Bonetti et al. Animals (Basel). .

Abstract

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 Escherichia coli 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 Escherichia coli 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.

Keywords: ETEC; Escherichia coli F4; K88; pig nutrition; piglet; post-weaning diarrhea; weaning; zinc oxide.

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Conflict of interest statement

Andrea Piva serves as a professor at the University of Bologna and is a member of the board of directors of Vetagro S.p.A. (Reggio Emilia, Italy). Ester Grilli serves as an advisor of Vetagro S.p.A.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Beneficial effects and mechanisms of action of zinc oxide in post-weaning piglets. For each parameter, the up arrow “↑” means an increase, while the down arrow “↓” identifies a reduction.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Risks related to pharmacological zinc oxide utilization in post-weaning piglets.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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