PSIII-4 Effect of Housing System and Supplementation of 25-hydroxicholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) on Performance and 25(OH)D3 Serum Levels of Sows during Gestation and Lactation

Abstract

Abstract Vitamin D is an essential key modulator of metabolism in pigs. Improvements in sow productivity have raised questions regarding dietary vitamin recommendations. In this sense, vitamin D serum levels could be limiting to attend high demanding phases. The present study aimed to study the impact of housing system with access to sunlight exposure and supplementation of 25(OH)D3 (Hy-D®) on performance and serum levels of 25(OH)D3 in sows during gestation and lactation. A total of 48 mixed parity sows were distributed in a factorial 2 x 2 experimental design (2 housing systems: gestation crates or free-range system with external area for sunlight exposure; and 2 diets: 0 or 50µg of Hy-D® per kg of diet). Sows remained in treatments from insemination until weaning. The housing systems did not influence (P >0.10) performance traits during gestation nor lactation. The use of Hy-D® tended (P=0.052) to improve total born (17.5 vs. 15.4, respectively 50 and 0 µg Hy-D®) and influenced (P=0.046) on number of born alive (13.4 vs. 12.2, respectively 50 and 0 µg Hy-D®). Litter weight at birth was influenced (P=0.01) by Hy-D® supplementation (20.8 vs. 17.5 kg, respectively 50 and 0 µg Hy-D®). Hy-D® supplementation and housing system (free-range with sunlight exposure) tended to increase weaning weight (P=0.07) and litter daily gain (P=0.051) during lactation. Exposure to sunlight and Hy-D® influenced (P=0.008) 25(OH)D3 serum levels when compared to control (without sunlight and 0 µg of Hy-D®) during gestation (132.3 vs. 116.6 ng mL-1, respectively) and lactation (120.3 vs. 92.2 ng mL-1, respectively). In conclusion, our findings showed that the supplementation of Hy-D® during gestation and lactation has a significant impact on performance of sows and their litters. Also, the association of Hy-D® supplementation with exposure to sunlight during gestation improved significantly 25(OH)D3 serum levels and consequently performance traits in gestation and lactation.