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Adverse effects on growth performance and bone development in nursery pigs fed diets marginally deficient in phosphorus with increasing calcium to available phosphorus ratios

Published: April 5, 2021

Summary

Introduction Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) are the two most abundant minerals in the body of the pig and are required for many important physiological functions (Oster et al., 2016). The vast majority of Ca—about 99%—is not only present in skeletal tissues (Nielson, 1972), but it also fulfills other very important roles involving blood clotting, nerve impulse transmission, muscle...

Related topics:

#Swine health

#Minerals in swine nutrition

#Piglets nutrition

Authors:

John Patience

Iowa State University

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7Comments

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Comment

Juarez Donzele

Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV

12 de abril de 2021

Dr John Patience, for his great experience in experimenting with pigs, would like to know your opinion, specifically about the Ca: P relationship in pig feed. Based on the results of studies conducted by our team, aiming to evaluate the requirement of Ca and P for pigs, we found that if the Ca level of the feed is not above the animal's requirement, the Ca: P ratio can vary considerably without negative influence performance. In this way, we understand that the Ca: P e 'ratio is of fundamental importance, especially if the Ca level is in excess. What we confirm at work. Does the Lord have any information about it? Do these results not confirm with post-weaning pigs

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John Patience

Iowa State University

12 de abril de 2021

Juarez Donzele Thank you Prof. Donzele for your question. My understanding of the literature would indicate that when establishing Ca and P levels in the diet, the first step is to ensure that the STTD or available P level is above requirement. If it is close to or below requirement, then the ratio of Ca:STTD P or Ca: aP is very, very important. As P rises above requirement, then the ratio becomes less critical. This is important practically due to the difficulty of manufacturing feed with a precise level of calcium in the diet; the bulk density of limestone appears to make it more challenging to work with than many other ingredients. I am afraid I am not aware of any studies conducted with Ca below requirement, so your data would be very interesting to me.

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Steven Jagger

AB Agri - Associated British Agriculture

29 de junio de 2021

Dr John Patience. Thank you for your paper. Are you able to indicate the assumed levels of calcium and phosphorus supplied by the added phytase? Thank you.

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