Enhancement of selectivity, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 level, alkaline phosphatase activity and reproductive performance in gilts and primiparous sows using 14-epimer of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3.

Selecting breed-worthy gilts as sow replacements is essential for continuity of pig production cycle. Though vitamin D3 (VD3) is known to enhance reproductive performance of multiparous sows, there is still a knowledge gap on its impact in developing gilts and primiparous sows. This study was aimed to quantify plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and examine the reproductive performance of primiparous sows fed diets supplemented with regular VD3, and its 25(OH)D3 epimers.