Effect of supplementing sows with Solanum glaucophyllum, a natural source of calcitriol, on farrowing performance, piglet survival and litter performance

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 not