THE INFLUENCE OF GESTATIONAL DIETARY CALCIUM ON SERUM 1,25 - DIHYDROXYCHOLECALCIFEROL IN SOWS AND THEIR BABY PIGS

摘要

Fifteen Yorkshire and crossbred sows were allotted to three groups of 5 sows, equalized for parity and fed corn-soy diets containing 0.5, 0.8, and 1.1% calcium, respectively, during gestation and lactation.;In sows, serum 1,25(OH)$sb2$D$sb3$ was significantly affected by dietary calcium within 15 days of initiating diets. During gestation and lactation, serum 1,25(OH)$sb2$D$sb3$ correlated negatively (r = $-0.88$; p $<$ 0.05) with serum calcium. In baby pigs, the mean serum 1,25(OH)$sb2$D$sb3$ at birth was not affected by treatment but, by 10 days of age, the baby pig serum 1,25(OH)$sb2$D$sb3$ correlated (r = $-.062$; p $<$ 0.05) with maternal serum calcium. Serum calcium and phosphorus increased significantly (p $<$ 0.05) as maternal dietary calcium increased. The mean colostrum and serum 1,25(OH)$sb2$D$sb3$ were significantly correlated (r = 0.90; p $<$ 0.05) at parturition.;This study indicates that 1,25(OH)$sb2$D$sb3$ production is quickly affected by changes in dietary calcium, but these changes did not have an in utero influence on the 1,25(OH)$sb2$D$sb3$ status of the fetal pigs. (Abstract shortened with permission of author.).