25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 improved growth performance, bone characteristics and polyunsaturated fatty acid deposition by activating calcium ion channel proteins expression in growing pigs

The study was conducted to evaluate effects of short-term or long-term administration of 25- hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)VD3] on growth performance, bone characteristics, meat quality in growing pigs. A total of 144 pigs were allocated into three groups and fed diet contained 2000 IU vitamin D3 (VD3) or 25(OH)VD3 for a short-term and long-term administration. The results showed that long-term 25(OH)VD3 administration increased BW on d 56 and average daily gain in d 28–56. Furthermore, long-term feeding increased bone calcium content and mRNA expressions of calcium ion channel protein and anti-oxidases genes in the liver. In short, adding 25(OH)VD3 to the diet improved weight gain, bone characteristics, deposition of polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant capacity compared with the VD3, while the long-term feeding of 25(OH)VD3 was particularly effective focusing on calcium deposition and mRNA expression of GPx1, Cu/Zn SOD and CaBP-D9K.