Free‐range system and supplementation of 25‐hydroxicholecalciferol increases the performance and serum vitamin levels in mixed‐parity sows

• Published in: Animal science journal Vol. 92; no. 1; pp. e13592 - n/a
• Main Authors: Panisson, Josiane C., Oliveira, Nathália C., Sá‐Fortes, Cristina M., Passos, Adsos A., Silva, Claudia C., Araújo, Wagner A. G., Lopes, Idael M. G., Costa, Gleison M. S., Ataíde, Iara Q., Silva, Bruno A. N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-01-2021
• Subjects: Animal Feed - analysis; Animals; Breastfeeding & lactation; Calcifediol; Design of experiments; Diet - veterinary; Dietary Supplements; Experimental design; Exposure; Female; Gestation; Housing; housing system; Intensive farming; Lactation; Litter; Litter Size; Livestock housing; Parity; Pregnancy; Serum levels; sows; Sunlight; Swine; Vitamin D; Vitamins; Weaning; Weight; housing system; gestation; sows; lactation; vitamin D
• ISSN: 1344-3941; 1740-0929
• DOI: 10.1111/asj.13592

Improvements in sow productivity have raised questions regarding dietary vitamin D recommendations. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of the housing system with access to sunlight exposure and supplementation of 25‐hydroxicholecalciferol on performance and serum levels of 25(OH)D3 in sows during gestation and lactation. Sows were distributed in an experimental design with two housing systems: gestation crates or gestation free‐range system with external area for sunlight exposure; and two diets: 0 or 50 μg of 25‐hydroxicholecalciferol kg−1. The use of 25‐hydroxicholecalciferol tended (P = 0.052) to improve total born and influenced (P = 0.046) on number of born alive. Litter weight at birth was also increased (P = 0.01) by 25‐hydroxicholecalciferol supplementation; 25‐hydroxicholecalciferol supplementation and housing system (free‐range with sunlight exposure) tended to increase weaning weight (P = 0.07) and litter daily gain (P = 0.051) during lactation. Exposure to sunlight and 25‐hydroxicholecalciferol supplementation increased 25(OH)D3 serum levels when compared with control treatment during gestation (136.95 vs. 113.92 ng mL−1; P = 0.035) and lactation (120.29 vs. 88.93 ng mL−1; P = 0.026). In conclusion, the association of 25‐hydroxicholecalciferol supplementation with exposure to sunlight during gestation improved significantly 25(OH)D3 serum levels and consequently performance traits in gestation and lactation.