Organic trace minerals as an innovative nutritional solution for advancement of production performance and intestinal microbiota in piglets

Abstract

After weaning, piglets are usually stressed by nutritional, psychological, environmental, physiological and social factors. During this period, piglets must rapidly adapt to a change in the type of feed they consume, from liquid sow’s milk, which is easily digestible, tasty and evenly distributed throughout the day, to solid dry feed, which is less digestible and tasty. As a consequence, feed consumption usually decreases in the first days after weaning with bad influence on composition on intestinal microbiota. Nutrient additives belong to the basic group of feed additives, and the main aims in using them are to increase the overall nutritional value of feed and to ensure the safety of food of animal nutrition through feed. Due to the reduced usability, potential toxicity and negative impact on the environment of inorganic forms of trace elements, the attention of the scientific public in recent years has been focused on finding forms of minerals that will neutralize the potential harmful effects of use and at the same time ensure better mineral usability and economy in livestock production. The Department of Animal Nutrition and Botany, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, organised a trial that aimed to test the effects of using organic trace elements in the diet on the health status, production performance measures and intestinal microbiota of the piglets. The use of new forms of trace elements showed a beneficial effect on piglet gut health, and consequently, on the yield of meat.