Tolerance to 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 glycosides from Solanum glaucophyllum by the growing pig

- The supply of 2000 IU D3 was not beneficial compared to 1000 IU.
- Up to 10 μg 1,25(OH)2D3 did not lead to observed adverse effects.
- 20 μg 1,25(OH)2D3 caused hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia.

Solanum glaucophyllum leaves contain high levels of glycosidically bound 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3, the most important vitamin D metabolite. The tolerance to this source was evaluated during six weeks with fifty weaned pigs fed increasing levels (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 μg 1,25(OH)2D3/kg diet). The diet contained, per kg, 9.7 g Ca, 3.5 g digestible P and 2000 IU cholecalciferol. Ten additional pigs were fed a diet containing 1000 IU cholecalciferol/kg, without 1,25(OH)2D3. Weekly plasma and final kidney, bone and urinary mineral contents, bone density and breaking strength served as indicators for possible adverse effects of the supplement. All animals grew well and remained clinically healthy. The measured parameters remained unchanged when 1000 replaced 2000 IU cholecalciferol/kg and when 1,25(OH)2D3 was fed up to 10 μg/kg. Twenty μg 1,25(OH)2D3 increased plasma Ca and decreased plasma P from the 2nd and the 4th experimental week onwards, respectively. Twenty μg 1,25(OH)2D3 increased final plasma Ca and 1,25(OH)2D3 and reduced final plasma P by respectively 19, 56 and 13%. Twenty μg 1,25(OH)2D3 also increased kidney Ca and urinary Ca by 43 and 69%, respectively, reduced bone breaking strength by 12% and tended to decrease bone ash by 3%. To conclude, 2000 IU D3 was not beneficial compared to 1000 IU cholecalciferol; up to 10 μg 1,25(OH)2D3 per kg diet did not lead to observed adverse effects; 20 μg 1,25(OH)2D3 altered the homeostatic regulation of Ca and P thus, may lead to first signs of possible adverse effects, such as soft tissue calcification.