Effect of Level of Dietary Zinc and Source and Level of Corn on Performance and Incidence of Parakeratosis in Weanling Pigs

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Abstract
One hundred sixteen Berkshire, Yorkshire and Berkshire x Yorkshire weanling pigs were used in 5 experiments to study variations in performance and parakeratosis (PK) associated with high-calcium rations'' differing in zinc level and in source and level of corn. Precautions were taken to minimize zinc contamination of the environment. A 17% protein corn-soybean ration containing New York (N.Y.) corn and 1.3% Ca produced equal gains at Zn levels ranging from 30 to 70ppm. When Illinois vs. N. Y. corn was used, pigs gained less weight during the first 4 weeks when no Zn was added to the ration. When the Ca content of the ration was increased to 1.8%, PK appeared in 2 of 4 pigs fed the low Zn Illinois corn ration; no PK when Zn was added or N. Y. corn was used. PK occurred in 6 or 16 pigs after 20 days when 40% glucose replaced N. Y. corn by weight in the basal ration which decreased the Zn content from 34 to 21ppm. Weight gains were stimulated and PK lesions disappeared in pigs transferred to the N. Y. corn ration (34 ppm Zn). PK developed in pigs fed the 40% glucose ration (21 ppm Zn) and also when supplemented with Zn to a total of 33 ppm but not in pigs fed the basal N. Y. corn ration (34 ppm). Evidence is presented indicating that there may be differences among samples of corn in the availability of the Zn they contain and that some samples may contain a protective factor against PK.

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