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The Effect of Supplemental Vitamin D in Rations for Pigs Fed in the Absence of Direct Sunlight¹

South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station, Brookings

Abstract

Three experiments were conducted to study the effects of vitamin D supplementation of rations for growing swine raised in the absence of direct sunlight. The addition of 90 U.S.P. units of vitamin D per lb. to mixed rations complete in other known dietary factors resulted in little difference in rate of gain, calcium and inorganic phosphorus content of the blood or calcium, phosphorus and total ash content of femurs.

A significant reduction in growth rate occurred when a low calcium ration was fed along with a mineral supplement free-choice. Five of eight pigs fed this ration also developed symptoms of rickets. Supplementing this ration with vitamin D increased gains and decreased the number of pigs with visible symptoms of rickets. It was observed that the pigs fed in this manner did not consume enough calcium to meet the requirements for this nutrient.

¹ Contribution from the Department of Animal Husbandry and approved for publication by the Director of the Agriculture Experiment Station as Publication No. 385 of the Journal Series.

² Grateful acknowledgement is made to American Cyanamid Co., Pearl River, N. Y.; Chas. Pfizer & Co., Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y.; and Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, for products used in these investigations.