Effect of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3-Glycosides on the Farrowing Process and Piglet Vitality in a Free Farrowing System

Abstract

Vitamin D improves the reproductive efficiency in animals. This study aimed to examine the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-gylcosides (1,25 vitD) on the farrowing process in sows and the vitality of their piglets. In total, 100 sows were allocated into two groups at insemination (‘1,25 vitD’ and ‘negative control’). The 1,25-vitD group received 260–300 mg/sow/day 1,25-vitD in their feed during the gestation period. Backfat thickness, fecal score, and the farrowing process was evaluated. The piglets were categorized into live born or stillborn, and vitality was evaluated by assessing the umbilical cord and the meconium score. The number of total-born piglets in sows of ‘1,25 vitD’ was higher and the farrowing duration was shorter than in the negative control group without showing significance in the univariable analysis. In a linear multiple regression model including the variables ‘farrowing duration’, ‘total born piglets’ and ‘1,25 vitD’ differences became evident. We found that 1,25-vitD was associated with a reduced farrowing duration (p = 0.055). Moreover, significantly more mummies (p < 0.01) and short ruptured umbilical cords (p < 0.05) were observed in the 1,25-vitD group. This study showed an effect of 1,25-vitD on the farrowing process. However, more research is needed to better describe the mechanism of 1,25-vitD in detail.

Tail and ear necrosis in piglets of sows with increased weight loss over the suckling period

“…13 Indeed, the median of liveborn piglets in our case report was 12 for the group without necrosis and 13 for the group with necrosis, while another recent study in Switzerland found a median of 15 liveborn piglets per sow. 9 However, BCS scoring is not the most reliable tool to examine changes in the body condition, because it is very subjective and only poorly correlated to backfat thickness. 23 The pathogenesis and cause of necrosis of different localisations in piglets has not yet been determined.…”

Impact of supplementation with dihydroxylated vitamin D3 on performance parameters and gut health in weaned Iberian piglets under indoor/outdoor conditions

“…However, the benefits of vitamin D go beyond that, being also involved in growth performance and immunity [ 2 ]. In this sense, several studies have assessed the impact of vitamin D supplementation on porcine health, focused mainly on gestating sows, farrowing and weaning piglets [ 9 – 12 , 20 – 25 ]. However, the effect of vitamin D supplementation in later stages of pig production and under outdoor systems has been scarcely evaluated.…”

“…In this sense, different studies have evaluated the impact of vitamin D supplementation on porcine health, showing promising results [ 9 , 12 ]. Thus, Konowalchuk et al .…”

“…Other studies have shown how vitamin D supplementation mitigates the effect of rotavirus infection in piglets (decrease in body weight gain, feed intake and villus height, among others), enhancing a protective effect against infections and an improvement in the gastrointestinal health [ 9 , 11 ]. A recent study performed on sows, showed a higher number of total-born piglets in the 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 supplemented group, compared with the control one [ 12 ]. However, to the author’s knowledge, there are no studies that analyze the impact of this vitamin in Iberian pigs, a fatty breed with a high intake capacity and specific nutritional requirements, different from those of lean commercial breeds, making necessary to provide protein and energy adapted diets to this breed.…”

The Role of Vitamins in Mitigating the Effects of Various Stress Factors in Pigs Breeding

“…Typically, vitamin D supplementation involves either vitamin D 3 or 25(OH)D 3 , with the majority of research conducted on these forms of vitamin D. However, there are also studies investigating the effects of supplementation with the active form of vitamin D-1,25(OH) 2 D 3 . The addition of 260-300 mg/sow/day of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 from plant sources increased the litter size and litter weight gain and reduced farrowing duration, weight loss of sows, and the rectal body temperature after farrowing; however, it increased the number of mummies and the number of short ruptured umbilical cords [145,146].…”