{"id":57055,"date":"2019-11-08T00:00:26","date_gmt":"2019-11-08T00:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zinpro.com\/piglets-need-better-immune-competence\/"},"modified":"2023-07-19T13:10:05","modified_gmt":"2023-07-19T18:10:05","slug":"piglets-need-better-immune-competence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zinpro.com\/en_na\/resource-center\/blog\/piglets-need-better-immune-competence\/","title":{"rendered":"Piglets Need Better Immune Competence"},"content":{"rendered":"

Swine producers are facing regulatory issues\nsuch as reducing pharmacological levels of zinc oxide post-weaning and reducing\nthe use of antibiotics. These demands increase the immune challenge for weaned\npiglets; however, there are nutritional solutions available to increase pig\nimmune competence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the challenge to the piglets? Until weaning, the piglet\u2019s immune status is driven by the sow through colostrum and milk. This is called passive immunity. It\u2019s only after weaning that the pig starts building up its own active immunity. Inevitably, there\u2019s a period after weaning where immune status of the piglet is low as passive immunity fades out and active immunity isn\u2019t fully developed yet \u2014 this is the so-called immunological gap. Swine producers need to overcome (minimize) this gap through proper swine feeding and nutrition, management and better health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While there isn\u2019t a single solution to add to\nthe feed for replacing pharmacological levels of zinc oxide, there is a need to\nfocus on diet formulation and different feed additives for swine. Improved\nfeeding of the lactating sow is an economically efficient way to improve the\nquality of piglets so they are heavier and more robust at weaning. Below are\nsome important factors to consider:<\/p>\n\n\n\n