Phosphorus in Swine. III. Influence of Dietary Calcium and Phosphorus Levels and Growth Rate on Mineral Content of Hair from Gilts and Barrows or Boars

The study evaluated the mineral content of swine hair in two trials with 192 pigs each, focusing on the effects of dietary calcium and phosphorus levels and growth rates. It found that while some sex-related differences in hair mineral content existed, they were inconsistent. The phosphorus content in hair increased with higher dietary phosphorus levels but was unaffected by lower levels. Other minerals like calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, sodium, and potassium showed inconsistent changes. Zinc and manganese levels increased with low phosphorus diets. The study concluded that while dietary levels can influence hair mineral content, the utility of hair mineral analysis for assessing overall mineral composition in animals was limited.