November 10, 2023
Vitamins play an important role in pig nutrition and health. They act as cofactors and precursors for various metabolic processes and physiological functions. Optimizing the vitamin content of swine diets is essential to support growth, reproduction and overall health. This article explores the effects of different vitamins on pig performance and provides science-based supplement recommendations.
VITAMIN A
Vitamin A in the form of retinol is essential for vision, immunity, reproduction, growth and development in pigs. It is essential for epithelial tissue integrity, bone development, steroid synthesis, and sperm production. This deficiency impairs vision, causes impaired fertility, reduces growth rate and feed efficiency, and increases susceptibility to infection. NRC (2012) recommends a diet of 5000 IU/kg for piglets and 4000 IU/kg for finishing pigs [ 1]. Higher levels up to 8000-10000 IU/kg can improve the immunity and fertility of male pigs [2]. Studies show that vitamin A levels above 20000 IU/kg can be toxic [ 3 ]. Synthetic retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate are common sources of vitamin A in swine diets.
VITAMIN D
Vitamin D supports calcium and phosphorus absorption and bone mineralization. Pigs need vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplements because they have a limited ability to synthesize vitamin D3 from sunlight. Deficiency causes rickets, osteomalacia, and impaired growth. NRC (2012) recommends a diet of 500 IU D3/kg for piglets and 250 IU/kg for finishing pigs [ 1]. However, levels up to 800-1000 IU/kg improve bone strength and immunity [4] [5]. Vitamin D above 5000 IU/kg can cause toxicity over time [1].
VITAMIN E
Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant to prevent cell damage. It also enhances immune function and meat quality. Deficiency causes muscle degeneration, anemia and impaired fertility. NRC (2012) recommends 11 IU/kg for piglets and 22 IU/kg for finishing pigs [ 1]. However, higher levels of 50-100 IU/kg optimize immune function and meat quality [6][7]. Synthetic dl-α-tocopheryl acetate is often added to pig feed.
VITAMIN K
Vitamin K is necessary for blood clotting and bone metabolism. Pigs can synthesize vitamin K in the intestine, but supplementation with menadione sodium bisulfite or menadione dimethylpyrimidinol bisulfite is recommended at 0.5-1 mg/kg diet [1]. Levels higher than 1-2 mg/kg maximize performance and health [ 8 ].
VITAMIN B
B vitamins act as coenzymes in energy metabolism and other processes. Levels of Thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine (B6), folic acid, and vitamin B12 should meet or exceed NRC (2012) recommendations [1]. Higher levels of niacin (20-30 mg/kg), vitamin B6 (4-5 mg/kg) and vitamin B12 (30 μg/kg) may improve growth rate and feed efficiency
CHOLIN
Choline is essential for lipid metabolism, membrane function, and methyl group provision. NRC (2012) recommends 724-1448 mg/kg choline for piglets and 629-1258 mg/kg for finishing pigs [ 1 ]. However, levels up to 2000 mg/kg maximize growth performance [ 12 ]. Choline chloride is a popular supplement form
BIOTIN
Biotin acts as a coenzyme in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. NRC (2012) recommends a dietary intake of 200 μg/kg [ 1] but levels up to 300 μg/kg improve hoof integrity and reproductive performance [13].
In summary, optimizing vitamin levels is key to pig health and efficient production. Requirements are dynamic and influenced by many factors. The supplement must provide sufficient margin over published requirements to ensure deficiencies do not limit performance under commercial conditions. The right sources, levels and combinations of vitamins can support improved growth, reproduction, meat quality and immunity in modern pig production.
Source: Ecovet