Zinc Oxide Feed Grade (ZnO) – is a feed additive used in the production of compound feeds and premixes for farm animals. It is applied to enrich and balance animal diets with zinc.
Zinc has a wide range of physiological effects. It is involved in respiration, acts as a catalyst in redox reactions, enhances the activity of vitamins, boosts phagocytosis, and plays a crucial role in the antioxidant defense of the body. Zinc oxide is known to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria, such as E. coli, and is a component of many enzymes involved in fat, protein, and energy metabolism as well as immune system functions. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, zinc supports the regeneration of the intestinal mucosa in young animals.
Zinc deficiency in animals can lead to dermatitis, loss of appetite, teeth grinding, vomiting, diarrhea, stunted growth, lameness, limb deformities, and reproductive issues, particularly in males due to testicular atrophy. In piglets, zinc deficiency reduces growth rates; in sows, it leads to smaller litter sizes, lower birth weights, and weak offspring with underdeveloped bone structures, often resulting in high mortality. In poultry, zinc deficiency disrupts feather growth and molting, reduces egg fertility, and causes embryonic deformities such as spinal curvature, edema, and abnormal development of the brain, eyes, and other organs.
The use of zinc oxide in animal diets has proven effective in improving growth performance, enhancing feed conversion rates by encouraging better feed intake, and reducing the incidence of diarrhea, especially in piglets.
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