The significance of vitamin D for sows has often been overlooked. However, recent studies conducted in France and Germany have once again highlighted its importance. Research has shown that vitamin D can significantly reduce stillbirths in sows and increase the birth weight of piglets, contributing to better overall productivity in swine farming.
In 2012 and early 2013, two articles addressed the impact of vitamin D on sow performance, emphasizing its role in regulating gene expression across more than 200 genes—an emerging area of research. Traditionally, vitamin D is known for its role in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. For sows, this function is crucial not only for maintaining strong bones but also for meeting the high calcium demands during lactation.
To understand how vitamin D works, it’s important to note that it is synthesized in the skin through sunlight exposure and then converted into its storage form, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (calcifediol), in the liver. The active form, 1,25-(OH)2-D3 (calcitriol), is produced in the kidneys. This process highlights why simply adding extra vitamin D3 may not be sufficient for sows and piglets to achieve optimal health outcomes.
Based on this understanding, DSM developed a product called lovastatin, which is a commercial form of calcifediol. In feed applications, one gram of this product is equivalent to 500 IU of vitamin D3. Trials have shown that feeding calcifediol significantly increases blood levels of this compound throughout the sow’s reproductive cycle compared to traditional vitamin D3 supplementation.
Recent trials conducted by DSM in France and Germany involved sows with high annual litter output. In these trials, the test group received 4 grams of calcifediol per ton of feed, while the control group received 2000 IU of vitamin D3 per ton. The study spanned two consecutive breeding cycles, covering both gestation and lactation periods.
Results showed a notable reduction in stillbirths among sows fed calcifediol. In the German trial, the stillbirth rate dropped by 10%, while in the French trial involving first-time sows, the reduction was as high as 13%. These improvements are likely due to calcifediol’s ability to regulate calcium and phosphorus balance, enhancing intestinal calcium absorption.
This effect ensures adequate calcium availability, reducing complications such as dystocia and prolonged labor. Low blood calcium levels are linked to reduced muscle tone and increased litter size, making calcium balance especially critical for sows.
Additionally, the trials found that sows receiving calcifediol had higher blood calcium levels, which positively influenced the birthing process. In the French test, the calcium concentration in the calcifediol group reached about 0.51 mg/dl, compared to 0.31 mg/dl in the control group.
These findings were further supported by observations of the entire farrowing process. Sows supplemented with calcifediol required fewer manual interventions, such as artificial stimulation of contractions. There was also a decrease in birth-related complications like fever and difficulty in delivery.
Calcium also plays a key role in milk production after birth, and piglets from calcifediol-fed sows showed higher weaning weights. Overall, these studies confirm that calcifediol improves sow reproductive performance by enhancing calcium absorption, ensuring better survival rates and growth in piglets.
JIANGMEN MOSCOT OPTOELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD. , https://www.sensorsled.com