Table 3
Effects of dietary supplementations of native ZnO and lipid-encapsulated ZnO (LE ZnO) on hepatic and circulating Zn concentrations, intestinal villus structure, and specific activities of digestive enzymes in weanling pigs

EnzymeDietary supplementation (ppm as Zn)ContrastP-value
Native ZnO1)LE ZnOP-valueLE ZnO vs.Within LE ZnO
1002,500SEM8% lipid2)10% lipid2)12% lipid2)SEMNative ZnO10% lipid vs.100 vs.
1002501002501002501002,5008%12%250
Zn concentration
  Liver (μg/g)34.9412.113.633.355.427.833.536.339.019.2<0.010.87<0.010.480.720.52
 Serum (μg/ml)1.782.450.141.531.631.521.501.141.620.22<0.010.10<0.010.750.570.31
Villus structure
 Duodenum
   VH (μm)29228414299365299315277323200.070.210.100.220.71<0.01
   CD(μm)23022711240282238276231256160.070.070.050.780.41<0.01
   VH:CD1.271.260.041.251.291.261.151.201.260.050.560.370.660.210.600.98
 Jejunum
   VH (μm)28025216254315240266275263210.310.540.380.150.460.17
  CD(μm)23020615234262225238251218200.490.640.080.440.890.87
   VH:CD1.211.160.031.091.201.071.121.111.200.040.030.020.300.210.13<0.01
  Ileum
   VH (μm)24520913215247245234230232190.560.480.110.670.670.62
   CD(μm)22818613205221238224238180190.150.730.050.330.240.24
   VH:CD1.101.210.071.301.161.031.051.091.310.110.360.540.500.080.150.71
Enzyme activity (μmol end product · mg protein-1 · min-1)
  Sucrase
  Duodenum0.0430.0340.0080.0760.0390.0400.0490.0410.0440.0120.250.610.140.260.890.39
  Jejunum0.8740.5370.2250.3190.4010.1600.6280.5090.1700.3180.590.060.510.910.860.79
   Ileum0.0980.1170.0320.1050.0990.0880.1070.0940.1190.0461.000.910.680.930.860.74
  Maltase
  Duodenum5.184.411.108.154.565.987.715.347.801.560.360.280.100.760.860.88
  Jejunum15.8712.703.488.3512.9510.2814.1013.885.384.920.760.220.640.760.610.99
  Ileum4.205.391.495.114.022.916.274.133.952.110.960.910.570.990.800.69
  LAP
  Duodenum2.002.300.362.191.911.992.721.903.200.500.530.450.960.550.700.17
  Jejunum3.152.730.272.372.533.172.513.252.200.380.300.140.860.310.770.11
  Ileum1.761.930.292.041.711.681.941.611.810.410.990.900.690.880.810.89
 Amylase (PAN)241.2142.123.0262.1185.1224.3240.7237.6231.431.40.060.67<0.010.780.950.39
 Trypsin (PAN)0.1560.1070.0220.1490.1270.1500.1840.1600.1970.0320.430.860.060.370.710.53