Effects of phytase and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 supplementation on growth performance and bone development in weaned piglets in Ca- and P-deficient dietary

Effects of phytase and 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol supplementation in broilers fed calcium-phosphorous deficient diets, with or without Eimeria challenge, on growth performance, body composition, bone development, and gut health

The study evaluated the effects of nutritional strategies on broilers challenged with Eimeria from d 14 to 26. A total of 840 Cobb male broilers were fed five diets in a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement: 1) nutrient adequate diet (PC; 0.84% calcium [Ca], 0.42% available phosphorus [avP]); 2) Ca-P deficient diet (NC; 0.64% Ca, 0.22% avP); 3) NC + 1500 FTU/kg phytase of diet (NC + PHY); 4) NC + 5000 IU/kg 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol of diet (NC + 25OHD); and 5) NC with both supplements (NC + PHY + 25OHD), with and without Eimeria challenge. All treatments had six replicate cages with 14 birds per cage. At 5 days post inoculation (DPI), the challenged birds exhibited higher serum fluorescein isothiocyanate-d (FITC-d) levels than the unchallenged birds (P < 0.001). The NC + PHY and NC + PHY + 25OHD groups exhibited lower FITC-d levels compared to the NC + 25OHD group (P = 0.012). Significant interaction effects between Eimeria challenge and dietary treatments were observed on various parameters. During 0 to 6 and 0 to 12 DPI, Eimeria challenge resulted in decreased the body weight gain (BWG) (P < 0.05) but had a negative effect on the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in birds compared to the unchallenged group (P < 0.05). Reducing Ca and avP levels in the diet (NC) did not adversely affect BWG, but negatively impacted FCR, bone ash weight, ash concentration, and femur bone microstructure parameters (P < 0.05). On 12 DPI, Eimeria challenge led to decreased tibia bone weight, bone volume, fat-free bone weight (FFBW), and ash weight of birds (P < 0.05). Supplementation with phytase alone or in combination with 25OHD improved growth performance, gut permeability, bone ash and bone microstructure parameters in birds (P < 0.05). However, the group fed 25OHD alone showed enhancements on growth performance, mineral apposition rate (MAR), bone ash concentration and ash percentage of the birds (P < 0.05). In conclusion, lowering Ca and avP levels in the diet negatively affected FCR and bone development but did not affect intestinal integrity in broilers. Dietary supplementation of phytase, 25OHD, or phytase in combination of 25OHD could enhance the growth performance and bone quality of broilers infected with Eimeria. Notably, the benefits of phytase supplementation were generally more pronounced than those associated with 25OHD supplementation; however, the combination of phytase and 25OHD could induce optimum effects.

A sustainable nutritional solution for fattening pigs based on 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and triterpenoids added to a low Ca diet containing phytase improves growth performance via the activation of muscle protein synthesis without compromising bone mineralization

In the current climate of sustainable animal agriculture, nutritional strategies that support fattening swine growth performance and bone mineralization whilst reducing environmental impacts are much sought after. This study evaluated the effect of supplementing 25(OH)D3 with triterpenoids to a Ca-reduced diet containing phytase during the grower-finisher phase. Growth performance, bone composition, plasma metabolites and muscle gene expression were evaluated. Sixty crossbreed boar pigs (initial body weight (BW) 42.0 ± 5.1 kg at 12 wk of age) were assigned to three treatments with 20 pigs/treatment in a completely randomized design. Treatments comprised: 1) a standard commercial grower-finisher diet (positive control (PC)) containing 1,500 IU/kg vitamin D3 [3,585 kcal/kg digestible energy, 16.19% CP, 0.70% Ca, 0.29% standardized total tract digestible P]; 2) a negative control (NC) based on the PC with reduction in Ca and P (minus 30% and 10%, respectively); 3) the NC with vitamin D3 replaced by a commercially available compounds combination containing 25(OH)D3 and triterpenoids, dosed at 500 mg per kg of feed (TRT). All diets were provided ad libitum for 7 wk, and feed intake was recorded individually via electronic feeder stations. For the overall period, average daily gain and average daily feed intake were increased (P < 0.05) in TRT vs. NC or PC (+ 13.0% and + 8.3%, respectively, vs. NC); final BW was 7.8% higher vs. NC (+ 5.2% vs. PC; P < 0.05). Whole-body DXA-scanning at 19 wk of age showed that bone mineral density, content and percentage were reduced in NC vs. PC and equivalent to PC in TRT. Plasma 25(OH)D3 and P levels were raised in TRT (+ 33 ng/ml or 2.6-fold and + 0.55 mg/dL or 5.9%, respectively, vs. NC). The combination of 25(OH)D3 with triterpenoids was found to activate several biological pathways involved in muscle growth, including pathways that activate mTOR, a key central regulator of cell metabolism, growth, proliferation and survival when the gene expression was measured in the muscle tissue at 19 wk of age. These results suggest that the dietary combination of 25(OH)D3 with triterpenoids has the potential for use, alongside phytase, in supporting a reduction in Ca and P in the diet to reduce nutrient waste and improve the sustainability of production by promoting muscle growth and maintaining bone composition.

The Effect of Vitamins on the Immune Systems of Pigs

In modern pig farming, there are many environmental, physiological or social stresses that weaken the immune response and increase susceptibility to disease. Nutritional management has a significant impact on the efficiency of the immune system in pigs. Among the various nutrients, vitamins have been shown to have specific effects on immune system activity. However, the needs of modern genetic types are not met by the dietary recommendations for vitamins in pig diets. The present study therefore summarises the data on dietary integration with supranutritional doses of vitamins in gestating and lactating sows and post-weaning piglets in terms of the immune response. The present data highlight that high doses of dietary vitamins are an effective way to improve the immune system, antioxidant status and gut health. Further studies are needed to deepen the understanding of the role of dietary supplementation with vitamins in pigs on immune system and gut functionality.

Effects of added 25(OH)D3 with varying standardized total tract digestible phosphorus concentrations on nursery pig performance, bone characteristics, and serum vitamin D status

A total of 360 pigs (DNA 600 × 241; initially 5.8 kg) were used in a 45-d growth study to evaluate the effects of adding 25(OH)D3 with 3 levels of standardized total tract digestible (STTD) P on nursery pig growth performance, bone and urine characteristics, and serum vitamin D. Pigs were weaned at 19 d of age and randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments with 5 pigs per pen and 12 replications per treatment. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial with main effects of 25(OH)D3 (0 or 50 µg/kg equivalent to 2,000 IU/kg of vitamin D3; Hy-D, dsm-firmenich, Plainsboro, NJ) and STTD P (70%, 100%, or 130% of the NRC [NRC 2012. Nutrient requirements of swine. 11th rev. ed. Natl. Acad. Press, Washington, DC) requirement estimate on a dietary percentage basis]. All diets contained 1,653 IU/kg of vitamin D3. On day 45, 1 pig per pen was euthanized to collect the right fibula, metacarpal, and 2nd and 10th ribs. Overall, increasing STTD P increased (quadratic, P ≤ 0.003) ADG, ADFI, and G:F with minimal improvement above 100% of the NRC STTD P requirement estimate. Added 25(OH)D3 had no effect on growth performance. Increasing STTD P decreased urinary Ca concentration (linear, P < 0.001) and increased urinary P concentration (quadratic, P < 0.001). When pigs were fed added 25(OH)D3, serum 25(OH)D3 increased (quadratic, P = 0.005) as STTD P increased but no differences were observed when 25(OH)D3 was not added and STTD P increased (25(OH)D3 × STTD P interaction, P = 0.032). When pigs were fed 25(OH)D3, serum 1,25(OH)2D3 increased (quadratic, P < 0.001) as STTD P decreased but the increase was not significant when no 25(OH)D3 was fed (STTD P × 25(OH)D3 interaction, P = 0.002). Bone ash percentage and weight increased (quadratic, P ≤ 0.065) in all bones as STTD P increased. Added 25(OH)D3 had no effect on bone density or bone ash weight; however, the reduction in bone ash percentage observed with reducing STTD P level tended to be less when 25(OH)D3 was provided (linear interaction, P = 0.098). Increasing STTD P decreased the likelihood of abnormal histologic bone lesions in the 10th rib. In summary, added 25(OH)D3 had limited effect on growth performance; however, an increase in serum concentrations of 25(OH)D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3 was observed. The addition of 25(OH)D3 to P-deficient diets increased percentage bone ash. Increasing STTD P to 100% of NRC [NRC 2012. Nutrient requirements of swine. 11th rev. ed. Natl. Acad. Press, Washington, DC] requirement estimate increased growth and 130% of NRC maximized bone ash.

Efficacy of dietary vitamin D3 and 25(OH)D3 on reproductive capacities, growth performance, immunity and bone development in pigs

Vitamin D3 (Vit D3) and 25(OH)D3 are used as dietary sources of active vitamin D (1,25(OH)2D3) in pig husbandry. Although acting primarily on intestine, kidney and bone, their use in pig nutrition has shown a wide range of effects also in peripheral tissues. However, there is an ambiguity in the existing literature about whether the effects of Vit D3 and 25(OH)D3 differ in attributing the molecular and phenotypic outcomes in pigs. We searched Web of Science and PubMed databases concerning the efficacy of Vit D3 in comparison with 25(OH)D3 on pig physiology, i.e. reproductive capacities, growth performance, immunity and bone development. Dietary intake of Vit D3 or 25(OH)D3 did not influence the reproductive capacity of sows. Unlike Vit D3, the maternal intake of 25(OH)D3 significantly improved the growth performance of piglets, which might be attributed to maternally induced micronutrient efficiency. Consequently, even in the absence of maternal vitamin D supplementation, 25(OH)D3-fed offspring also demonstrated better growth than the offspring received Vit D3. Moreover, a similar superior impact of 25(OH)D3 was seen with respect to serum markers of innate and humoral immunity. Last but not least, supplements containing 25(OH)D3 were found to be more effective than Vit D3 to improve bone mineralisation and formation, especially in pigs receiving basal diets low in Ca and phosphorus. The insights are of particular value in determining the principal dietary source of vitamin D to achieve its optimum utilisation efficiency, nutritional benefits and therapeutic potency and to further improve animal welfare across different management types.

Effects of 25(OH)VD3 on Growth Performance, Pork Quality and Calcium Deposit in Growing-Finishing Pigs

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of 25(OH)VD3 with different inclusion levels of 0, 25, 50 and 75 μg/kg in the diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, bone properties and pork quality in growing-finishing pigs. The results showed that the average daily gain (p < 0.05) and body weight (p < 0.10) of pigs showed a trend of increasing quadratically as inclusion levels of 25(OH)VD3 increased. Dietary supplementation of 50 μg/kg 25(OH)VD3 increased calcium digestibility compared with the 0 μg/kg group (p < 0.05), and calcium and phosphorus digestibility increased quadratically as inclusion levels of 25(OH)VD3 increased (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of 50 μg/kg 25(OH)VD3 increased concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and decreased contents of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in the longissimus dorsi of pigs (p < 0.05). The addition of 25, 50 and 75 μg/kg 25(OH)VD3 to the diet increased breaking strength and bone stiffness in the tibia compared with the 0 μg/kg group (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of 50 μg/kg 25(OH)VD3 improved the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and increased the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Cu/Zn SOD in the longissimus dorsi compared with the 0 μg/kg group (p < 0.05). Supplementing 50 μg/kg 25(OH)VD3 improved the mRNA expression of calcium-binding protein D9k (CaBP-D9k) and D28k (CaBP-D28K) in the liver compared with the 0 μg/kg 25(OH)D3 group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a diet with an added dose of 50 μg/kg 25(OH)VD3 showed a greatest growth performance of growing-finishing pigs, and 25(OH)VD3 enhanced calcium deposition and antioxidant capacity in the longissimus dorsi, which may be associated with improved expression of calcium ion channel proteins.

Effects of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) and 1-hydroxycholecalciferol (1-OH-D3) on serum bone biomarkers and calcium and phosphorus balance and concentrations of energy in diets without or with microbial phytase fed to sows in late gestation

The objective was to test the hypothesis that supplementation of diets for gestating sows with 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) or 1-hydroxycholecalciferol (1-OH-D3) affects serum biomarkers for bone and increases Ca and P balance and the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of gross energy (GE), and the concentrations of digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) in diets without or with microbial phytase. Sixty multiparous sows were allotted to 1 of 6 diets. Diets were formulated using a 3 × 2 factorial with 3 inclusions of supplemental vitamin D metabolite (no metabolite, 25-OH-D3, or 1-OH-D3) and 2 inclusion levels of microbial phytase (0 or 1,000 units). Sows were housed individually in metabolism crates and feces and urine were collected quantitatively. Results indicated that there was no difference in the ATTD of dry matter (DM) and GE and concentration of DE among the 3 diets containing microbial phytase, but the ATTD of DM and GE and concentration of DE was greater (P < 0.05) in diets containing 1-OH-D3 compared with the diet without a vitamin D metabolite if phytase was not used (interaction; P < 0.05). In diets without microbial phytase, ME was greater in diets containing either one of the 2 vitamin D metabolites than in the diet without a vitamin D metabolite, but among diets with microbial phytase, the ME of the 1-OH-D3 diet was less than of the 25-OH-D3 diet (interaction; P < 0.05). No effect of microbial phytase on concentrations of DE and ME was observed. There was no interaction between supplementation of microbial phytase and vitamin D metabolites for Ca and P balances, and regardless of metabolite supplementation, use of microbial phytase increased (P < 0.05) the ATTD and retention of Ca and P. Regardless of dietary phytase, the ATTD and retention of Ca and P increased (P < 0.05) for sows fed a diet containing one of the vitamin D metabolites compared with sows fed the diet without a vitamin D metabolite. Serum biomarkers for bone resorption or bone tissue synthesis were not affected by experimental diets. In conclusion, the ATTD of DM and GE, concentrations of DE and ME, and Ca and P balance in phytase-free diets fed to sows in late gestation were increased by supplementation with 1-OH-D3 or 25-OH-D3, but no differences between the 2 vitamin D metabolites were observed. Supplementation of diets with microbial phytase increased Ca and P balance, but did not affect DE and ME of diets.

Dietary Supplementation of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Improves Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity and Immune Function in Weaned Piglets

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)VD3) and Vitamin D3 (VD3) supplemented in the diet of weaned piglets on their growth performance, bone quality, intestinal integrity, immune function and antioxidant capacity. A total of 192 weaned piglets were allocated into four groups and they were fed a control diet containing 2000 IU VD3 (negative control, NC), NC + 100 ppm colistin sulfate (positive control, PC), NC + 2000 IU VD3 (VD3) and NC + 2000 IU 25(OH)VD3 (25(OH)VD3). The results showed that 25(OH)VD3 improved the growth performance, bone quality and antioxidase activity of piglets compared with the other groups. Meanwhile, 25(OH)VD3 up-regulated ileal mRNA expressions of tight junction proteins and host defense peptides. The VD3 group had an increased intestinal sIgA content and mRNA expression of pBD-1 compared with the NC group. Both groups of VD3 and 25(OH)VD3 altered the microbial β-diversity compared with the NC group, and 25(OH)VD3 increased ileal concentrations of acetate and butyrate. In conclusion, our findings indicated that a regular dosage of 2000 IU VD3 in the weaned piglets' diet did not achieve optimal antioxidant capacity and immune function. 25(OH)VD3 had better growth performance than VD3 at the same inclusion level, which is associated with the improved intestinal integrity and antioxidant capacity.