Effects of supplementation with 1,25(OH)₂D₃-glycoside of herbal origin in the diet of nursery piglets

Abstract

Context To provide adequate dietary vitamin D in nursery piglets, 1,25(OH)2D3-glycoside could be a potential alternative to supplements currently in use.Aims The effect of this supplement on apparent total tract nutrient digestibility, growth performance, health status, and bone traits was assessed in nursery piglets.Methods Digestibility was assessed in 30 piglets (23.8 +/- 3.32 kg), and growth performance in 135 weaned piglets (8.0 +/- 0.53 kg). Both trials used randomized complete block designs based on bodyweight, with five treatments: -D3: no vitamin D supplementation; +D3: 100% of the vitamin D requirement supplied as cholecalciferol; and +D3 + 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 mu g of 1,25(OH)2D3-glycoside.Key results From Day 21 to 35, piglets fed D3 + 1.0 diet showed greater average daily gain compared to -D3 or D3 + 1.5, and a greater average daily feed intake was observed in piglets fed +D3, D3 + 0.5, and D3 + 1.0 compared to -D3 or D3 + 1.5. From Day 0 to 7, diarrhoea prevalence was lower in piglets fed D3 + 1.0 compared to -D3, D3 + 0.5, and D3 + 1.5. Across the entire period, animals fed D3 + 1.0 had lower diarrhoea prevalence compared to D3 + 0.5. Serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations was lowest in -D3 piglets. Leukocyte concentrations were greater in piglets on D3 + 1.0 than with D3 + 1.5, whereas eosinophil concentrations were lowest in piglets fed D3 + 0.5. Alkaline phosphatase activity was higher in piglets on +D3 than with D3 + 0.5 or D3 + 1.5. The greatest and lowest bone Ca contents were observed in treatments D3 + 1.5 and D3 + 0.5, respectively. The bone magnesium contents was lowest in piglets fed -D3.Conclusions Adding 1,25(OH)2D3-glycoside to diets containing adequate vitamin D contents as cholecalciferol did not increase serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations, but physiological and metabolic parameters were improved and, in general, 1.0 mu g of 1,25(OH)2D3-glycoside showed the best effects on performance, serum vitamin D, health status, and bone traits.Implications This research has provided new information on the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3-glycoside supplementation in diets for nursery piglets and has shown its potential use for bolstering general health.