LAUSR

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effects of coated zinc oxide supplementation on growth performance, fecal scores, blood profiles, intestinal and fecal microbial shedding, and small intestinal morphology in young pigs challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) K88. Sixty crossbred (Duroc × [Yorkshire × Landrace]) weaning pigs with an average initial body weight (BW) of 6.56 ± 0.89 kg (28 ± 2 days of age) were randomly allotted to 6 treatment groups (5 replicate pens per treatment with 1 barrow and 1 gilt per pen) on the basis of initial BW. The six experimental treatments were: (1) pigs fed basal diets and unchallenged with ETEC K88 (NC-U); (2) pigs fed basal diets and challenged with ETEC K88 on day 22 (NC-C); (3) pigs fed basal diets supplemented with 2500 mg/kg conventional zinc oxide and challenged with ETEC K88 on day 22 (PC); (4) pigs fed basal diets supplemented with 500 mg/kg coated zinc oxide challenged with ETEC K88 on day 22 (CZO500); (5) pigs fed basal diets supplemented with 750 mg/kg coated zinc oxide challenged with ETEC K88 on day 22 (CZO750); (6) pigs fed basal diets supplemented with 1000 mg/kg coated zinc oxide challenged with ETEC K88 on day 22 (CZO1000). Pigs in PC and CZO1000 treatments had increased (P