Piglets getting single dose of 40,000 IU of vitamin D gained more weight – March 2013

Effect of oral vitamin D3 supplementation on growth and serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels of pigs up to 7 weeks of age

J Swine Health Prod. 2013;21(2):94–98.
Steven J. P. Tousignant, DVM; Steven C. Henry, DVM; Albert Rovira, DVM, PhD; Robert B. Morrison, DVM, MBA, PhD
SJPT, RBM: University of Minnesota, Population Medicine, St Paul, Minnesota.
SCH: Abilene Animal Hospital, Abilene, Kansas. AR: University of Minnesota, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, St Paul, Minnesota.
Corresponding author: Dr Steven J. P. Tousignant, 385 AnSci/VetMed, 1988 Fitch Ave, St Paul, MN 55108; Tel: 612-624-1220; Fax: 612-625-1210; E-mail: tous0026@umn.edu.

Beginning in the spring of 2011, investigations on farms across the United States led to the anecdotal observation that most weaned pigs tested were vitamin D deficient. Work began on developing an oral supplement to be given to piglets early in life, and a few farms immediately adopted its use. Reports from the field by veterinarians and farm staff described encouraging improvement in piglet performance. This case report describes the effects of oral vitamin D3 on one farm during the summer of 2011, where 387 piglets from 36 gilt litters were assigned to either a group supplemented with vitamin D3 at 2 days of age or a control group.

Pigs in the supplemented group were heavier at weaning and 7 days post weaning, fewer lost weight during the first 7 days post weaning, and their serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) levels were higher 26 days post weaning.

Received: February 6, 2012; Accepted: August 16, 2012
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Summary by VitaminDWiki

  • Random controlled trial giving a single dose of 40,000 IU to half of 387 piglets
  • by 7 days 16% of vitamin D pigs had lost weight, vs 25% of control pigs
  • At 26 days vitamin D pigs weighed 12.7 kg, vs control pigs 12.3 kg (3%)
  • For pigs: reference values for 25-OHD of 25 to 30 ng per mL (vs 20 ng in US for humans)

See also VitaminDWiki

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