The effect of various levels of an antioxidant support technology on the performance of health-challenged nursery pigs

摘要

The weaning transition is a stressful period for pigs due to nutritional, social, and environmental changes. If facing other stressors such as pathogens, the physiological systems designed to cope with stress can become overwhelmed. It has been reported that serum vitamin E (VIT-E) concentrations drop dramatically in the first 5-12 days post-weaning.' The combination of weaning and suboptimal environmental conditions has been reported to increase measures of oxidative stress at 12 days post-weaning in combination with reduced serum VIT-E concentrations.' Neutralizing free radicals produced during stressful periods of time may help reduce damage to both cells and tissues. Pro-mote~RAOX~(TM) (AOX) is an antioxidant blend and has been shown to supportantioxidant status in multiple species. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary VIT-E and AOX on the performance of health challenged nursery pigs.