Vitamins in swine nutrition

Vitamins are required for normal metabolism in physiological functions such as growth, development, maintenance, and reproduction. Some vitamins are produced by the pig in sufficient quantities to meet its needs while others are present in adequate amounts in feed ingredients commonly used in swine diets. However, several vitamins need to be added to swine diets in the form of a vitamin premix to avoid deficiency and obtain optimal performance. Eleven vitamins are regularly added to swine diets because the natural ingredients commonly used in swine diets (cereal grain, soybean meal, etc.) are deficient. These vitamins can be divided into two groups, fat soluble (vitamins A, D, E and K) and water soluble (riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, choline, biotin, vitamin B12, and folic acid). Several other vitamins function in the pig’s body including pyridoxine (B6), thiamine, and vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Vitamin needs are usually met by adding a commercial vitamin premix to the diet. Vitamin potency in feed and manufactured products will decrease with exposure to light, high humidity, heat, rancid fat, and oxygen.