Impact of zinc caproate supplementation on growth performance, intestinal health, anti-inflammatory activity, and Zn homeostasis in weaned piglets challenged with Escherichia coli K88

Background Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is one of the primary causes of diarrhea in piglets, creating substantial economic losses in the swine farming industry worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the impact of zinc caproate (ZnCA) on the intestinal health, growth performance, inflammatory status, and Zn homeostasis of weaned piglets challenged with ETEC K88. In total, 48 weaned piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, 7.78 ± 0.19 kg, 28 d) were selected for a 21-d experiment. Each experimental treatment consisted of six replicate pens with two piglets each. The treatment conditions were as follows: 1) a basal diet ( CON ), 2) a basal diet + ETEC K88 ( NC ), 3) a basal diet + 2500 mg/kg Zn oxide (ZnO) + ETEC K88 ( PC ), and 4) a basal diet + 1600 mg/kg ZnCA + ETEC K88 ( ZnCA ). Results The addition of 1600 mg/kg ZnCA to the diet of post-weaning piglets effectively enhanced growth performance and nutrient digestibility and reduced the incidence of diarrhea and inflammatory reactions caused by ETEC K88 infection. These therapeutic effects were comparable to those of pharmacological doses of ZnO. In terms of improving intestinal health and Zn homeostasis in post-weaning piglets challenged with ETEC K88, the effectiveness of 1600 mg/kg ZnCA surpassed that of pharmacological doses of ZnO. Conclusions Overall, under the experimental conditions of this study, ZnCA exhibited the potential to reduce the pharmacological dosage of ZnO while improving intestinal health and Zn homeostasis in weaned piglets.