Abstract

To evaluate the productive response of sows and their litter to the supplementation with zinc in a tropical climate two experiments were realized. Exp. 1 (Fresh season). 46 Yorkshire x Landrace sows were used, assigned to one of two treatments (T) in a completely randomized design. T1 (SZn; n = 22); diet without addition of Zn from 35 days of gestation and during 21 d of lactation, and T2 (CZn; n = 24), T1 diet plus supplementation with 100 mg Zn/kg of feed. Exp. 2 (Warm season). Another 44 sows were assigned to one of two treatments similar to Exp. 1. T1 (SZn; n = 25) and T2 (CZn; n = 19). Results were analyzed by ANOVA (P ≤ 0.05). Results: Exp. 1. Feed consumption added with Zn increased (P < 0.05) IgG plasmatic concentration in weaned pigs. Exp. 2. Feed consumption added with Zn increased (P < 0.05) backfat thickness (BFT) of the sows during the gestation (16.6 vs. 14.8 mm) and decreased (P = 0.006) the mortality of nursing pigs during the lactation (11 vs. 26%). It concludes that additional consumption of zinc increase the BFT in gestating sows under environment heat stress and diminished the mortality of nursing pigs during lactation and intake of supplemented diet with zinc during fresh season increase IgG plasmatic concentration levels in weaned pigs. Keywords: zinc, sow, backfat thickness, nursing pig mortality.

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