Effect of zinc supplementation on serum levels of certain enzymes in pigs

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of zinc supplementation on the activities of certain serum enzymes-alkaline phosphatase (ALP), CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), ceruloplasmin, SGOT and SGPT in pigs. Twenty four crossbred (Hampshire X Assam Local) pigs, 4 months of age were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=8 in each). Control (C) animals were offered basal diet supplemented with AAUVETMIN (Strategic Mineral Mixer) containing 100ppm elemental zinc (NRC requirement). Treatment 1 (T₁) pigs were given Calcium Carbonate @1.5% on DM basis to induce zinc deficiency in addition to the diet offered to control group. Pigs of Treatment 2 (T₂) group were offered the same basal diet but supplemented with AAUVETMIN containing 500ppm elemental zinc. The serum ALP and CuZnSOD activity decreased significantly (P<0.01) in T₁ group from day 15 (18.49 ± 0.51KAU/100 ml and 29.67 ± 0.68U/mgHb) of treatment but increased significantly (P<0.01) in T₂ group from day 15 (20.39 ± 0.58 51KAU/100ml and 32.32 ± 1.09 U/mgHb) till day 120 (28.91 ± 0.27 KAU/100ml and 53.32 ± 0.95 U/mgHb) respectively. Serum levels of ceruloplasmin ranged between 85.15±1.86/ig/100ml and 87.11 ± 1.35 µg/100ml but did not differ significantly. SGOT and SGPT concentration increased significantly (P<0.01) in T₂ group from day 30 (47.14 ± 1.09 U/L and 43.02 ± 1.50U/L) and day 45 (50.59 ± 1.27 U/L and 44.33 ± 1.62 U/L) respectively. The SGPT concentration in T₁ group decreased significantly (P<0.01) from day 75 (41.35 ± 0.29 U/L) onwards but no alteration was observed in T₁ group.