Influence of Zinc Status on Postprandial Plasma Zinc Changes in Pigs

Abstract
In growing castrated pigs changes in the postprandial plasma zinc values were found to be inversely related to the zinc status of the animals. In pigs prefed with a moderate zinc diet (25 ppm) postprandial plasma zinc values increased, whereas in pigs prefed with a high zinc diet (150 ppm) values decreased after intake of a meal containing 150 ppm of zinc. It is considered that the presence of metallothioneine in the liver, which depends upon the zinc status, is responsible for this effect.