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Publication Effect of supplementing sows with Solanum glaucophyllum, a natural source of calcitriol, on farrowing performance, piglet survival and litter performance(The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jabłonna, 2022)Survival of piglets until weaning is a major contributor to the rentability of pig production systems. Large litters are often associated with complications and prolongation of the farrowing duration causing piglet mortality. The vitamin D status of the pregnant female is known to play a role in parturition problems. The present experiment investigated the effect of Solanum glaucophyllum in the diet of sows on farrowing duration and progeny survival and growth. Solanum glaucophyllum was distributed in a feed supplement to gestating sows from one week before farrowing until weaning of the piglets. Control sows received the same feed supplement but without S. glaucophyllum. Sows at an earlier gestation stage and piglets did not receive S. glaucophyllum. From 108 farrowing events and litters, on average 14.3 total born and 12.7 liveborn piglets were observed. Solanum glaucophyllum had no positive effect on the farrowing duration (222 vs. 219 min for experimental vs. control sows, respectively), average piglet expulsion interval (17.2 vs. 17.3 min), piglet vitality at birth, piglets death during nursing (2.03 vs. 1.74 piglets/litter) and piglets average daily gains (both 274 g). The proportion of stillborn piglets was even higher in sows receiving S. glaucophyllum than in control ones. Nevertheless, further studies on hyperprolific sows having no access to direct sunlight and with diets clearly deficient in either vitamin D or calcium are needed to show whether S. glaucophyllum is effective in parturient sows or not1 1