Swine

Increase sow productivity

The number of piglets born alive, piglets weaned per sow per year, and the size and uniformity of the litters are important parameters in the pig industry

Background on the challenge

Achieving the maximum productivity - the number of piglets born alive and weaned per sow per year – alongside with litter uniformity are great challenges in high prolific sows. Large litters generally result in a lower uniformity, which causes more competition between littermates. Differences in body weight among piglets generally increase up to weaning, so a high uniformity at birth is important. Vitamin D is critical for optimum implantation and placentation, and thereby affects litter uniformity at birth.

Approximately 40% of embryos are lost before term indicating much room for improvement. Also, increased litter size has a negative impact on farrowing time, which increases the number of stillborn piglets and pre-weaned mortalities. Last born piglets do not have access to an adequate amount of colostrum, limiting antibodies intake.

The implication for the industry

The number of piglets born alive, litter size at birth, and weaning piglets are among the reproductive traits of the greatest economic impact on pig production profitability. Low litter uniformity may be associated with low piglet survival rates. Especially small piglets have lower survival rates or low remuneration after weaning. There is a linear relationship between weaning weight and ADG in the post-weaning phase of growth, and the lactation length influences long-term growth and viability of progeny.

Panbonis®
  • fast time to action

  • improves Ca-metabolism

  • increases the number of piglets born alive

  • increases weaning weights

  • improves uniformity

Panbonis® is a complementary feed that contains a standardized level of 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol-glycosides (1,25(OH)2D3-gly) from dried and ground Solanum glaucophyllum leaves. 1,25(OH)2D3-gly can only be absorbed after the sugar molecule is released from 1,25(OH)2D3 by specific enzymes that are present in the intestine. This is a gradual process, ensuring a slow release of the bioactive component. Once it is absorbed, it does not need additional activation steps, like vitamin D3 or 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3) do, which means that Panbonis® can directly support the animal even in periods when specific activation enzymes in liver and kidney are limited.

Supplementing sow diets during gestation and lactation with Panbonis® supports implantation and placentation, increases the number of piglets born alive, achieves litter uniformity at birth, and minimizes problems during farrowing, which results in better piglet vitality and litter uniformity at weaning.

  • Supports the crucial role of vitamin D3

  • 100% Natural

  • GMO-free

  • Standardized content of the active ingredient

  • Gradually absorbed from the intestine

  • Considered a complementary feed in the EU

  • High processing and storage stability

Mode of action

To become active, vitamin D3 needs to undergo a two-step activation. The first step happens in the liver and the second in the kidney to deliver the bioactive form 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2D3). 1,25(OH)2D3 binds to the vitamin D3 receptor (VDR) to exert its action in the body. Besides the classical functions of vitamin D3 on mineral metabolism, there are also non-classical functions such as effects on fertility. It has been observed that 1,25(OH)2D3 is important for implantation and placentation. There is also evidence that 1,25(OH)2D3 plays a role in immune modulation during pregnancy and improves oocyte quality. By supplementing 1,25(OH)2D3 in sow gestation and lactation diets we increase the number of piglets born alive.

Swine – Vitamin D Metabolism

Trial results

Panbonis® was added in the lactation diet in the 1st cycle and the gestation and lactation diet of the 2nd cycle.

Statistical significance P< 0.05

Figure 1. Influence of Panbonis on the number of piglets born alive in the second parity cycle

Our solution Panbonis®
  • fast time to action
  • improves Ca-metabolism
  • increases the number of piglets born alive
  • increases weaning weights
  • improves uniformity