ANN 111: Principles of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology (2+1)

DEFICIENCY - PARAKERATOSIS 

• Zinc deficiency in pigs causes parakeratosis, a skin disorder. 
• Reddening of the skin followed by eruptions, which develop, into scabs.
• Parakeratosis is aggravated by high calcium levels in the diet and reduced by decreased calcium and increased phosphorus levels.
• Pigs given diets supplemented with high levels of copper, for growth promotion, have an increased requirement for zinc.