The Pig Journal website is brought to you in association with ThePigSite.com
The Pig Journal is published by UK Pig Veterinary Society and can be contacted here
The Pig Journal
 
Home
Pig Journal Index
News Archives
Published Articles

Buy On-line
Manual Order Form

PVS web site
Other Links

Search This Site
Submissions
Contact us


Pig Journal Volume: 51
Publication date: June 2003

Proceedings Section

THE ROLE OF VITAMIN NUTRITION ON SOW AND PIGLET HEALTH
C. Antipas and G. Weber

Abstract
The main components of sow health and productivity are weaning to oestrous interval, sow culling rate and number of piglets weaned. They can be improved through genetics, management and nutrition. Within nutrition, vitamins have been demonstrated to be essential for protecting sow and piglet health and for maximising herd productivity. Supplementation of the diet with biotin reduces weaning to oestrus interval and culling rate and improves fertilisation rates. Vitamin E supplementation during early pregnancy improves ovulation rate whereas folic acid enhances embryonic and foetal survival. Vitamin A and/or -carotene enhance embryo quality and thus have beneficial effects on litter size at birth and at weaning. Vitamin limitations (e.g. vitamin A) during foetal growth could compromise health and growth potential of piglets after birth. Colostrum and milk are enriched with vitamin E and other vitamins that are readily transferred to the piglet to support its health and growth. High levels of vitamins E and C in the piglet's blood through milk from the sow can help it to overcome stresses imposed by the weaning process. There is plenty of evidence to prove the multiple benefits of vitamins on sow health, reproductive performance and subsequent piglet health. Thus, vitamin supplementation guidelines should not only aim at avoiding deficiencies; but also ensure optimum vitamin nutrition of both sows and piglets to maximise herd productivity.

Add to Basket
 
 
www.pigvetsoc.org.uk © Copyright The Pig Veterinary Society 2004

 

Friday 21st November

Our Main Sponsors
 
Supporting Partners