Effects of a clinoptilolite supplement in pig diets on performance and serum parameters

The effects of clinoptilolite in pig’s diets were examined on sixty Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred pigs of both sexes divided into two groups: 1. control group, with basal diets; 2. treatment, with basal diets supplemented with 5 g clinoptilolite per 1 kg diet (Cp group). Feed and water were available ad libitum. Individual live weights were recorded on days 45, 90 and 135 of the experiment. Feed consumptions were recorded weekly. Blood was drawn from the anterior vena cava of each pig at day 135 for the determination of serum biochemical parameters. During the first 90 days of the experiment pigs from the Cp group had higher body weight gain (BWG) compared with the control group (+2.5% and +7.0%, respectively) but in the finishing phase of growing their growth parameters were significantly lower (–4.8%). Blood serum biochemical parameters from all experimental pigs were generally within the normal range. Higher triglyceride concentration, lower total cholesterol concentration and increased activity of AST were recorded in the serum of the Cp group.