Vol. 8, Special Issue 8, Part I (2024)

Abstract: Twenty-four healthy and uniform crossbred (Hampshire × Assam Local) pigs, 4 months of age, were selected to study the effect of 500 ppm Zn supplementation on certain serum biochemical parameters for a period of four months. The animals were divided into three groups (n=8/group): group C (basal diet), group T₁ (basal diet + 100 ppm Zn + calcium carbonate @ 1.5% DM) and group T₂ (basal diet + 500 ppm Zn). Serum samples were collected at 15-day intervals and analysed for serum Zn, copper, total serum protein, albumin, globulin, and glucose cholesterol. The serum Zn concentration in the T₁ group decreased significantly (p<0.01) from day 30 until day 120 of treatment, whereas in the T₂ group, the level increased significantly (p<0.01) from day 15 onwards. The serum copper concentration did not change groups. The total protein concentration in the serum showed a significant (p<0.01) increasing trend in the T₂ group from day 45 of treatment, and a significant (p<0.01) decreasing trend was observed in the T₁ group compared to the C group. The serum globulin concentration decreased significantly (p< 0.05) in the T₁ group compared with the C and T₂ groups during the treatment period. An increasing trend in glucose and cholesterol levels was recorded at T₂ during the treatment period. However, decrease, (p<0.01) in glucose and cholesterol levels was recorded in the T₁ group from day 30 to day 120 of treatment. The haemoglobin concentration showed a significant (p<0.01) decreasing trend in the T₁ group from day 45 onwards.