title: Fluctuation of potential zinc status biomarkers throughout a reproductive cycle of primiparous and multiparous sows.
abstract: Fluctuations in Zn metabolism throughout gestation and lactation might affect Zn requirements. However, scientific data on Zn requirements for breeding sows are limited. The objective of the present study was to assess the Zn status of primiparous and multiparous sows using different Zn status biomarkers, to identify periods of critical Zn status throughout the reproductive cycle at different parities. Blood samples were taken after overnight fasting before feeding in the morning from five primiparous and ten multiparous sows at fixed time intervals during gestation (days - 5, 0 (insemination), 21, 42, 63 and 84), around parturition (days 108, 112, 115 (parturition) and 118) and during lactation (days 122, 129 and 143 (weaning)). At parturition, blood samples were collected from two randomly selected piglets per sow before colostrum intake. Plasma was analysed for Zn and Cu contents, whereas serum was analysed for alkaline phosphatase, metallothionein and albumin concentrations. Independently of parity, all biomarkers fluctuated differently during gestation and lactation (P< 0·050). This reflects their different roles in Zn metabolism, and suggests that the choice of a Zn status biomarker necessitates careful consideration. Low average plasma Zn concentration at the end of gestation and throughout lactation seem to be replenished towards weaning.
authors.affiliation: Animal Sciences Unit, Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO),Scheldeweg 68,9090Melle,Belgium.
authors.forename: Miriam M J
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: van Riet
authors.affiliation: Animal Sciences Unit, Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO),Scheldeweg 68,9090Melle,Belgium.
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Millet
authors.affiliation: Animal Sciences Unit, Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO),Scheldeweg 68,9090Melle,Belgium.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nalon
authors.affiliation: Animal Sciences Unit, Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO),Scheldeweg 68,9090Melle,Belgium.
authors.forename: Karolien C M
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Langendries
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition,Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University,Merelbeke,Belgium.
authors.forename: An
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cools
authors.affiliation: Animal Sciences Unit, Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO),Scheldeweg 68,9090Melle,Belgium.
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ampe
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and Applied Ecochemistry, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University,Ghent,Belgium.
authors.forename: Gijs
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Du Laing
authors.affiliation: Animal Sciences Unit, Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO),Scheldeweg 68,9090Melle,Belgium.
authors.forename: Frank A M
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Tuyttens
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics,Reproduction and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University,Merelbeke,Belgium.
authors.forename: Dominiek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition,Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University,Merelbeke,Belgium.
authors.forename: Geert P J
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Janssens
mesh_terms: D000418:Albumins / Q000378:metabolism; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003126:Colostrum; D005260:Female; D007774:Lactation / Q000097:blood*; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000097:blood; D010298:Parity; D036801:Parturition; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000097:blood*; D012098:Reproduction; D055703:Reproductive Physiological Phenomena; D013552:Swine; D014886:Weaning; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000418:Albumins; D015415:Biomarkers; D008668:Metallothionein; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D015032:Zinc
keywords: Plasma zinc; Serum albumin; Serum alkaline phosphatase; Serum metallothionein