Effect of dietary fat-soluble vitamins on growth performance and nutrient digestibility in growing pigs

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to compare the effect of various vitamins on performance and digestibility in growing pigs. In experiment 1, a total of 54 pigs (L×Y×D, 42.73±2.40 kg) were assigned to three treatments in a randomized complete block design with three replicates (6 pigs/pen) for 40 days. The three dietary treatments were: 100% fat-soluble vitamins (FSV) and water-soluble vitamins (WSV); 150% FSV and 100% WSV of NRC (1998); and 100% FSV and 150% WSV of NRC (1998). In experiment 2, a total of 180 pigs (L×Y×D, 28.20±3.05 kg) were assigned to four treatments in a completely randomized design with three replicates for four weeks (15 pigs/pen). The four dietary treatments were, 150% vitamin A and 100% other vitamins, 150% vitamin D and 100% other vitamins, 150% vitamin E and 100% other vitamins, and 150% vitamin K and 100% other vitamins. In experiment 1, there were significant differences in growth performance and digestibility of nutrients among the treatments. The ADG, ADFI and FCR of pigs fed 150% FSV diet were better (p<0.05) than those fed the control diet. However, there were no differences (p>0.05) in ADG, ADFI and FCR between pigs fed the control and 150% WSV diets. Digestibilities of dry matter, gross energy and calcium were improved in 150% FSV treatment group compared with control (p<0.05). However, the improvement was similar when compared with 150% WSV except for Ca. In experiment 2, there were no differences (p>0.05) in ADG, ADFI and FCR and nutrient digestibility between the fat-soluble vitamin treatments when fed at the 150% level. In conclusion, growing pigs were more responsive to additional fat-soluble vitamin supplements over the requirements suggested by NRC (1998) than to water-soluble vitamin supplements as measured by growth performance and digestibility of nutrients.