Physiological Aspects of Copper in Pig Diets

Abstract

Cu has attracted wide interest as a feed component for growing pigs, stimulating growth rate when given in amounts exceeding the concentration in the feed which is considered covering the optimal requirement for growth. Growth rate stimulation from 8 to 9.7% and increasing feed efficiency by 5.5 to 7.9% (Braude et al., 1962; Braude, 1967) have been demonstrated. Experiments using up to 207 ppm of Cu in the feed given as CuSO₄ conclude that the growth promoting effect of 132 ppm Cu was moderate, but better than that of 207 ppm in the first 8 weeks from 20 kg liveweight, whereas no effect was observed from 50 to 90 kg liveweight (Hansen et al., 1974). The variety of results from Cu supplement of the daily feed ration for pigs obviously depends on which Cu compounds have been used in the various experiments and how the macro- as well as the micro-mineral supply of the feed ration is balanced as Cu interaction with other minerals on the absorbative level is of unique importance in the intermediary metabolism of Cu.