Abstract
Simple SummaryVitamin D improves the reproductive performance in animals. This study aimed to examine the effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-glycosides (1,25-vitD) on the farrowing process in sows and the vitality of their piglets. Therefore, 100 sows were divided into two groups at insemination (‘1,25-vitD’ and ‘negative control’). The farrowing process and the piglet vitality was evaluated. The number of 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 further statistical 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.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.
Highlights
The role of vitamin D to improve reproductive efficiency has become known in animals and humans in recent years [1–5]
Group 1,25-vitD contained of 48 sows with 767 piglets and in group C 41 sows with 618 piglets were included
Free farrowing sows were used in this study, the reproductive performance can be extrapolated to larger populations in other countries, because the housing situation of the sows during gestation is comparable to other countries
Summary
The role of vitamin D to improve reproductive efficiency has become known in animals and humans in recent years [1–5]. Low vitamin D concentrations were associated with various reproductive disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome and infertility [7]. A better reproductive performance (outcome of in vitro fertilization) has been detected in women with adequate vitamin D concentrations [7]. It is described that vitamin D has an effect on fertility during gestation [8]. It is known that an overdose of vitamin D is fetotoxic in mammals [9], and can lead to abortion at different stages of pregnancy in sows [10]. It is evident that vitamin D influences the reproductive tract and reproductive performance in mammals [1–3,8,11]
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