Feed additive to prevent rickets, enhance mineral absorption, and promote growth-vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) is an essential micronutrient that participates in calcification of bones and ultimately achieves optimal bone development and stability. Vitamin D can regulate the balance of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) in the blood. When the concentration of calcium and phosphorus in the blood drops to a critical level, vitamin D can enhance the small intestine’s absorption of these minerals and the reabsorption of renal tubules. Vice versa, when the content of calcium and phosphorus in the blood exceeds the maximum, absorption is reduced and excretion is increased. Moreover, vitamin D3 affects the calcification process by increasing absorption and promoting mineral deposition in the bones. Of all the higher animals, the most widely known is that vitamin D3 deficiency causes rickets. In monogastric animals, severe clinical deficiency can lead to growth inhibition, weight loss, loss of appetite or loss, and increased mortality.

Vitamin D3 can be produced by endogenous subcutaneous vitamin D 7-dehydrocholesterol under ultraviolet light. However, because livestock and poultry are raised in pens, they lack direct sunlight. In addition, their skin is covered with feathers or thick hair. Considering all these, vitamin D3 produced by livestock and poultry can be ignored. Therefore, cholecalciferol in the diet is the most reliable source to meet the vitamin D needs of livestock and poultry.

Vitamin D3 is an essential nutrient that is mainly used to ensure bone health. Recent studies have shown the direct effects of other sources of vitamin D, such as the effect of 25-OH-D3 on the formation of muscle cells and the regulation of the immune system. At the same time, further research in other fields is expected.

Optimally and safely adding a source of vitamin D3 to the feed seems to be a balanced strategy in order to get the maximum potential for action from this essential micronutrient.