Improving Sow Productivity and Nursery Pig Performance By Injecting Sows with d-α-Tocopherol, Retinyl Palmitate, and Cholecalciferol

Vitamins A, D, and E play important roles in preventing cell damage, enhancing immune function, and improving fertility. We hypothesized that highly productive sows require supplemental fat-soluble vitamins to maximize reproductive performance and the growth and health of their offspring. Fifty-four sows were allotted by parity to 3 treatments: 1) control (C; 5 mL i.m. saline injection on d 107 of gestation; 2) 2 injections (V2) of 5 mL i.m. of a multi-vitamin product containing 300, 200,000, and 100,000 I.U./mL of vitamin E, A, and D, respectively on d 107 of gestation and d 4 of lactation; and 3) same as V2 plus a 5 mL i.m. injection of vitamins on d 14 of lactation (V3). Serum samples from sows were collected on d -7, 1, 7, and 17 relative to farrowing and from piglets on d 3, 7, 17, and 25 (4 d post-weaning). Serum retinol concentrations in sows and piglets increased over time (P<0.001), but were not impacted by injection. Serum α-tocopherol in sows increased as lactation progressed (P<0.001); V2 increased (P<0.05) serum α-tocopherol on d 7 compared to control and V3 tended (P<0.10) to increase serum α-tocopherol on d 17 compared to control and V2. Piglet serum α-tocopherol decreased (P<0.001) from d 3 to 25 (7.67 to 2.19 µg/mL), but was not affected by treatment. Vitamin injection increased (P<0.05) serum 25(OH)D₃ in sows on d 1, 7, and 17 and V3 increased (P<0.05) serum 25(OH)D₃ compared to V2 on d 17. In piglets, serum 25(OH)D₃ increased (P<0.05) on d 7 and 17 with V2 compared to control. Pigs from V3 sows had greater (P<0.05) serum 25(OH)D₃ on d 7, 17, and 25 than control (12.6, 26.7, 19.8, and 15.4 vs. 6.4, 7.2, 9.0, and 13.4 ng/ml for d 3, 7, 17, and 25, respectively) and had greater (P<0.05) serum 25(OH)D₃ on d 17 (32.2 vs. 19.8 ng/ml) and 25 (24.6 vs. 15.4 ng/ml) compared to V2. Piglet BW at birth and weaning was greater (P<0.05) with V3 compared to V2, whereas BW after 14 d (P=0.06; 8.76, 8.83, and 9.33 kg for control, V2, and V3, respectively) and 35 d in the nursery was improved with V3 compared to V2 and control (P=0.005; 18.03, 18.31, and 19.73 kg for control, V2, and V3, respectively). In conclusion, injecting fat-soluble vitamins in sows improved piglet performance through the nursery, which may be related to improved vitamin status of pigs.