The Intestinal Flora in Pigs With Parakeratosis

Two groups of pigs, groups I and II, were self-fed a basal diet. The composition of the diet is listed in Table 1. Another group, group III, was fed the same diet with the fish meal (Icelandic codmeal) replaced by Peruvian sardine meal. The composition of the intestinal flora in the pigs of group I and II was influenced by the diet with a great increase in the clostridial counts. Concomitant with the change in the anaerobic flora, skin changes which ultimately developed into typical parakeratosis, appeared on those pigs which did not receive supplementary zinc. In group III no change of the intestinal flora could be detected and no skin changes appeared in this group.