Lameness in breeding sows poses important financial, welfare, and well being challenges and sometimes results in untimely culling. The structural integrity of legs relies on calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) reserves in bones, making correct vitamin important for bone growth and upkeep. This research assessed the results of dietary Ca and vitamin D supplementation on bone metabolism, bone high quality, lameness, and choice charges in gilts.
Strategies: Two Ca ranges (Sufficient [ACa]: 6.85/6.42 g/kg or Excessive [HCa]: 8.99/8.56 g/kg for gilts weighing 32–100 and 100–180 kg, respectively) have been mixed with both 856 IU/kg vitamin D3 (Sufficient [AD3]) or 50 µg/kg 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (Excessive [HHyD]) to create 4 diets: ACaAD3, HCaAD3, ACaHHyD, and HCaHHyD. A fifth food plan, HCaHD3, mixed excessive Ca with 2,000 IU/kg vitamin D3. 200 gilts have been phase-fed these therapies from 32 to 180 kg physique weight (BW) till slaughter.
Outcomes: Progress efficiency was unaffected by food plan, and whereas Ca plasma ranges remained steady, urinary Ca concentrations have been larger in gilts receiving excessive Ca. Plasma vitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 ranges responded positively to elevated supplementation. Bone ash content material was larger in gilts fed HCaAD3 and slaughtered at 100 kg, however different bone parameters similar to weight, size, and mineral content material confirmed no important variations. Lameness and choice charges weren’t influenced by dietary therapies.
Conclusion: Progress fee positively correlates with bone energy and ash content material, however larger Ca and vitamin D3 supplementation didn’t considerably have an effect on lameness prevention or choice charges in comparison with commonplace feeding practices.
Bruun TS, Jensen SK, Larsen T, Nielsen MBF, Roger L, Feyera T. Impact of dietary calcium and vitamin D dietary supplements on plasma bone turnover biomarkers, bone mineralization, bone energy, and lameness rating in gilts. J Anim Sci. 2024 Jan 3;102:skae310.
https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae310
