Vision on Vitamins
Atlanta (USA) - January 26, 2016
Gilbert M. Weber, PhD
Senior Science Fellow Animal Nutrition & Health
DSM Nutritional Products, Kaiseraugst (Switzerland)
What is the Reason for Production
Problems such as …
Dry / Scaly Skin
Paralysis / Lameness
Low Immune Response
Deformed /Brittle Bones
Poor Absorption of Nutrients
Perosis
Fertility Problems
Ascites
Necrosis of Heart Fibers
Fatty Liver and Kidney Syndrome
Osteomalacia
Depression of Appetite
Inflamed Mouth
Hepatic Necrosis
Resorption Disorders
Increased Blood-clotting Time
Vitamin Deficiencies
Page 2
Muscular Myopathy
Cervical Paralysis
Pododermatitis
Susceptibility to Infection
Diarrhoea
The Century of the Vitamins
1929-1967: 12 Nobel Prices
awarded to 20 Scientists for
Synthesis, Characterization
und Elucidation of Function of
the Vitamins
1912: Term
“Vitamins”
coined by
Casimir Funk
1900
1946: First Largescale, industrial
Synthesis of Vitamin A
by Roche
2011: 12. Edition of the Vitamin
Recommendation Folder
DSM Vitamin Supplementation
Guidelines for Domestic
Animals published
1950
1934-87: Development of industrial
Production Processes for Vitamins by Roche,
starting with Vitamin C
1906-41: 13 Vitamins
identified and characterized
Page 3
2012
It is Time for an Update of the DSM
Vitamin Supplementation Guidelines
Page 4
Vitamins: Definitions and Functions
• Vitamins are essential micronutrients, required for optimum health and normal
physiological functions such as growth, development, maintenance or reproduction
of the animal.
• Most vitamins cannot be synthesized by the animals and therefore they must be
obtained from the feed.
• Vitamins exercise catalytic functions; they facilitate both synthesis and
degradation of the nutrients, thereby controlling the metabolism.
• Vitamins are classified into two groups:
• Fat-soluble (4): vitamin A (retinol), vitamin D (calciferols), vitamin E
(tocopherols), vitamin K (phylloquinone
• Water soluble (9): vitamins B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin),
B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cobalamin), niacin (vitamin PP), pantothenic acid
(vitamin B5), folic acid (vitamin M),
biotin (vitamin H), vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
Page 5
Factors influencing Vitamin
Requirements
Genetics/
Breed
Temperature
/Humidity
Infectious
Pressure
Life Stage
Vitamin
Demand
Housing
Conditions
Stress
Performance
Page 6
Feed
Composition
Consequences of Insufficient
Dietary Supply of Vitamins
• In case of a temporary or chronic undersupply with
vitamins, animals will suffer from subclinical deficiency,
impacting on performance, health and welfare.
• Clinical vitamin deficiency results in growth depression,
deterioration of feed conversion as well as in irreversible
serious disorders of various origin, which can lead to death
of the affected animal.
Page 7
Vitamin Deficiencies in Poultry
Encephalomalacia –
Vitamin E (and Selenium)
Rickets - Vitamin D3
Perosis - Biotin
Fatty Liver Hemorrhagic
Syndrome (FLHS) Vitamin B12
and E Deficiencies
Vitamin B1 Deficiency
Vitamin B2 Deficiency
Page 8
Vitamin Deficiencies in Swine
Vitamin E deficiency: Mulberry Heart Disease
Page 9
Vitamin E deficiency: toxic liver dystrophy
Biotin deficiency: severe
necrosis along coronet,
initial necrosis in skin.
Pantothenic acid deficiency: splayed hind legs
Left: healthy new-born piglet.
Right: piglet from a vitamin Cdeficient sow, showing navel bleeding
The OVN™ Concept
Optimum Vitamin Nutrition (OVNTM) is about feeding animals high
quality vitamins in the right amounts and ratios appropriate to their
life stage and growing conditions.
Optimum Vitamin Nutrition is a cost-effective range of vitamin
supplementation optimizing
• Animal Health and Welfare
• Performance
• Quality and Nutritional Value of Animal-origin Foods
Page 10
Average Animal Response
Optimum Vitamin Nutrition Graph
Special Applications
NRC
Sub-optimum
Deficient
• Below NRC levels
• Animals at risks of
developing clinical
deficiency signs and
disorders
• Above NRC levels
• Preventing clinical
deficiency signs and
disorders
• Inadequate to permit
optimum health and
productivity
Optimum
• Offsetting factors
influencing vitamin
requirement
• Permitting optimum
health, productivity
and food quality and
nutritional value
Total Vitamin Intake
Page 11
• Above optimum levels
• Optimizing certain
attributes such as
immunity, meat quality,
bone health, etc.
Effect of Optimum Vitamin Nutrition on
Performance and Meat Yield of Broilers
FCR (g/g)
Body Weight (g)
2000
1.5
1
1000
0
a
0.5
b
0-21 days
Industry
0-40 days
0-21 days
OVN
Industry
15.5
360
15
340
14.5
300
a
b
Breast weight (g)
Industry
Perez-Vendrell and Weber, 2007
Page 12
OVN
b
0
380
320
a
14
13.5
0-40 days
OVN
a
b
Breast yield (%)
Industry
OVN
OVN Trials in Poultry:
2000 - 2013
Authors
Year
Country
ROI
1. Coelho
2000
USA
n.a.
2. Perez-Vendrell et al. (IRTA)
2002
Spain
n.a.
3. Perez-Vendrell and Weber (IRTA)
2007
Spain
n.a.
4. Zhang et al.*
2011
China
13:1
5. Araujo et al.
2012
Brazil
5:1
6. Iglesias et al. (Granja Tres Arroyos, Cobb)
2012
Argentina
2:1
7. Aviagen Product Dev. Center
2012
USA
3:1
8. NKP FARM
2012
Thailand
n.a.
9. Aviforum
2013
Switzerland
2,8:1
10. INRA & ITAVI
2013
France
5,2:1
* Trial on layers
Page 13
Impact of Genetic Improvement
on Vitamin Supplementation
The improved efficiency reduces vitamin intake per unit of productivity
and dictates the need for more dietary vitamin
1985
2005
∆/year
Layer (1 kg)
2.7 IU/egg
2.1 IU/egg
-1.1%
Broiler (2 kg)
40 IU/kg gain
34 IU/kg gain
-0.8%
Turkey (14 kg)
55 IU/kg gain
48 IU/kg gain
-0.6%
All diets containing 20 IU Vitamin E/kg feed
Genetic driven improved performance requires each year
an adjustment of vitamin supplementation in the range of 1%
Leeson, 2007
Page 14
Broilers & Broiler Breeders
• Many changes were made when producing the 2011 Vitamin Supplementation Guidelines
• After 5 years, a few adjustments have been required
• All vitamin levels are perfectly fitting with genetic companies
Broilers & Broiler Breeders
Changes
Broilers
Category
Phase
Vitamin
Change
2011
2016
Rationale
Broilers
Starter
A
min
10,000
12,000
Aligned with Genetic Companies
D
min
3,000
4,000
Aligned with Genetic Companies suggesting a straight requirement of 5,000 IU/kg
E
max
300
200
In the footnote is recommended for optimum immune function to increase level up
to 300 mg/kg
Biotin
min
0.2
0.25
A minimum requirement has been set e.g. by Oiolo, 1991 and Whitehead, 2000
around from 0.2 to 0.25 mg/kg
D
min
3,000
4,000
Aligned with Genetic Companies suggesting a straight requirement of 5,000 IU/kg
A minimum requirement has been set e.g. by Oiolo, 1991 and Whitehead, 2000
around from 0.2 to 0.25 mg/kg
Grower
Finisher
Breeders
Starter/Grower
(Pullets)
Biotin
range
0.2 - 0.3
0.25 0.40
D
min
3,000
4,000
Aligned with Genetic Companies suggesting a straight requirement of 5,000 IU/kg
Biotin
range
0.2 - 0.3
0.25 0.40
A minimum requirement has been set (e.g. Oiolo, 1991; Whitehead, 2000) around
from 0.2 to 0.25 mg/kg
D
max
4,000
5,000
Aligned with Genetic Companies suggesting a straight requirement of 4,000 - 5,000
IU/kg
E
range
80 - 100
100 - 150
In the footnote is recommended for optimum immune function to increase level up
to 300 mg/kg
B1
max
3
3.5
B2
range
6-8
8 - 10
Aligned with Genetic Companies (recommendation is up to 12 mg/kg)
B6
range
3-5
4-6
Aligned with Genetic Companies; higher levels can be recommended in case of foot
problems
Folic acid
max
2
2.5
Aligned with Genetic Companies; already in 1997 Whitehead was recommending 2.0
to 2.5 as minimum
Biotin
min
0.2
0.25
A minimum requirement has been set (e.g. Oiolo, 1991; Whitehead, 2000) around
from 0.2 to 0.25 mg/kg
Slight increase for ensuring adequate plasma levels (Olkowski and Classen, 1999)
Turkeys & Turkey Breeders
• Many changes were made when producing the 2011 Vitamin Supplementation Guidelines
• After 5 years, a few adjustments have been required
• All vitamin levels are perfectly fitting with genetic companies
Turkeys & Turkey Breeders
Changes
Turkeys
Category
Phase
Vitamin
Change
2011
2016
Turkey
Starter
E
range
100 - 250
150 - 200
Breeders
Rationale
In the footnote it is recommended for optimum immune function to
increase level up to 300 mg/kg
Grower
no changes
-
Finisher 1
no changes
-
Finisher 2
D
range
2,000 - 3,000
3,000 - 4,000
Starter
E
max
250
150
Aligned with Genetic Companies suggesting a straight requirement of
4,000 IU/kg
In the footnote it is recommended for optimum immune function to
increase level up to 300 mg/kg
Grower
no changes
-
Layers and
male breeders
no changes
-
Layers & Other Poultry
• Many changes were made when producing the 2011 Vitamin Supplementation Guidelines
• After 5 years, a few adjustments have been required
• All vitamin levels are perfectly fitting with genetic companies
Layers & Other Poultry
Changes
Layers and other poultry species
Category
Phase
Hens and Duck Layers
Breeders
Ducks and Geese
Vitamin
Change
2011
2016
Starter (Pullets)
E
max
100
70
Rearing (Pullets)
D
range
2,000 - 3,000
3,000 - 4,000
Rationale
In the footnote it is recommended for optimum immune
function increase level up to 100 mg/kg
Alignment with genetic companies
Layers
no changes
-
Pullets, Layers
and Male Breeders
no changes
-
B2
range
7.0 - 9.0
5.0 - 7.0
Lower levels as given for the full grow-out phases
Partridges,
Quails and Pheasants
no changes
-
Ostrich and Emu
no changes
-
Vitamin Trials in Swine:
1995 - 2012
Authors
Vitamins
Year
Country
ROI
1. Stahly et al.
Group B
1995
USA
n.a.
2. Lindemann et al.
Group B
1999
USA
n.a.
3. Castaing et al.
OVN
2001
France
2,5:1
4. Weiss and Quanz
OVN
2002
Germany
2,5:1
5. Commercial trial*
OVN
2004
Spain
+
6. Commercial trials (3 sites)*
OVN
2005
Germany
+
7. Stahly et al.
Group B
2007
USA
n.a.
8. IRTA (sows)
OVN
2011
Spain
n.a.
9. IRTA (pigs)
OVN
2012
Spain
n.a.
* ROI was not calculated but a positive net benefit was measured
Page 21
Swine
• Many changes were made when producing the 2011 Vitamin Supplementation Guidelines
• After 5 years, a few adjustments have been required
• All vitamin levels are perfectly fitting with genetic companies
Swine
Changes
Swine
Category
Phase
Fattening
Pigs
Pre-starter
Starter
Breeders
Vitamin
Change
2011
2016
Rationale
Biotin
range
0.2 - 0.4
0.3 - 0.5
To better prevent hoof problems; industry practice for higher levels reported
in some markets
C
range
100 - 200
200 - 250
J. R. Bergstrom and M. S. Edmonds 2014 MW-ASAS, Abstract #189
Biotin
range
0.2 - 0.4
0.3 - 0.5
Wilt and Carlson, 2009
Grower
no changes
-
Finisher
no changes
-
Replacement
gilts
Sows
Boars
K
range
1.5 - 3.0
2.0 - 3.5
Some genetic companies recommend up to 4.0 to 4.5
B6
range
3.5 - 5.5
5.0 - 8.0
Dalto et al., 2015
Niacin
range
20 - 30
25 - 35
Aligned with some industry practices and genetic companies recommending
35 mg/kg
Niacin
min
25
30
Aligned with some industry practices and genetic companies recommending
also >40 mg/kg
Pantothenic
range
30 - 35
35 - 40
Aligned with some industry practices and genetic companies recommending
35 mg/kg
Niacin
min
25
30
Aligned with some industry practices and genetic companies
Challenges on Poultry under
Production Conditions
Stocking
Density
Stress
Air Quality
Diseases
Lighting
Conditions
Noise
Level
Release of Free Radicals
/Reactive Oxygen Species
Humidity
Inflammation
Accelerated Metabolic Rate
Higher Vitamin Requirements
Page 24
Litter
Quality
Disorders
Temperature
Changes
Immune
Response
Immune Responses and Health
• Infectious diseases can spread quickly
throughout a broiler or a turkey flock.
• The efficacy of the immune system, which is the
primary line of defense, is dependent on an
adequate nutrient supply for the development of
its key organs, for the rapid expansion of
effector cells and for the subsequent synthesis
of antibodies.
• Among the micronutrients, the vitamins A, D3
and its metabolite 25-OH-D3 (Hy•D®) as well as
the vitamins E and C were demonstrated to have
a direct modulating activity on the immune
system (Klasing, 1998).
Page 25
Vitamin E: Humoral Immune
Response in Broilers
• Female broiler chicks (day-old)
• Basal diet (20 ppm Vit E)
• Basal diet + 100 ppm Vit E
• Basal diet + 200 ppm Vit E
• Basal diet + 300 ppm Vit E
• Vaccination at 28 days of age with
inactivated and emulsified
Newcastle disease virus
• Blood sample on days 7, 14, 21, 28,
38, 48 and 58
HI Antibody Titers (log2)
• 4 dietary treatments:
5.0
4.5
4.0
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
7
14
28
38
48
58
Days after Vaccination
Basal Diet
BD + 100 ppm Vit E
BD + 200 ppm Vit E
BD + 300 ppm Vit E
Franchini et al., 1986
Page 26
21
Skeletal Problems / Leg Disorders
• 25-OH-D3 [Hy•D®], the first metabolite in the
activation cascade of vitamin D3 is more readily
available to provide the classical benefits of vitamin
D3, i.e. better calcium and phosphorus utilization,
improved bone mineralization and prevention of
bone disorders (rickets, TD).
• Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD):
• delayed mineralization of the cartilage
in the growth plates of long bones
• can result in bending or twisting of
the bones
• induce lameness
• considered to be painful.
• Vitamin D3 metabolites (e.g. 25-OH-D3 [Hy•D®])
reduce both incidence and severity of TD.
Page 27
Hy•D and Tibial Dyschondroplasia
ROSLIN INSTITUTE
Control D3
(75 µg/kg)
Hy•D
(75 µg/kg)
35.0%
88.0%
Abnormal Tibial
Growth Plates:
12
10
% affected Birds
Normal Tibial
Growth Plates:
AUBURN UNIVERISTY
8
6
4
Severity 0
25.0%
2.0%
Severity 1
12.5%
2.0%
Severity 2
16.7%
6.0%
TD Severity
Severity 3
10.4%
2.0%
D3: 2’760 IU/kg
100.0%
100.0%
Hy•D: 344 µg/kg
Page 28
2
0
TD Incidence
Hy•D: 68.9 µg/kg
Stress: Transport and Others
• Stress of transport of broilers to the slaughterhouse:
• can reduce the quality of the end product
• is recognized as welfare issue.
• High levels of vitamin C (applied via the drinking
water just before catch):
• calm down the birds during transport
• improve important sensory properties of the
meat (field observation).
• Elevated levels of vitamin E reduce the negative
impact of heat stress on laying performance in hens
(Bollengier-Lee et al., 1999).
Page 29
Pododermatits: A Welfare Issue
Page 30
Surface of Reticulate Scales at
Digital Foot Pad of Turkeys
Biotin Group (2000 mcg/kg)
Buda et al., 2000
Page 31
Control Group (200 mcg/kg)
Claw Problems in Pigs due
to Biotin Deficiency
Page 32
End Product Quality
• Meat is an important component of the
daily nutrition:
• it represents a reliable source of vitamins,
particularly of the B-group
• supplementation of meat-type poultry with
higher levels of vitamins improves the
nutritional value of the end product.
• When supplemented to poultry at elevated
levels, vitamin E interferes with lipid
oxidation in fresh and processed meat and
thereby reduces quality deterioration
through oxidative rancidity and drip loss.
• Eggs represent a perfect vehicle for the
transfer of vitamins to humans:
• most dietary vitamins are readily
deposited in the egg yolk and
accordingly are enriching eggs with
essential micronutrients.
Page 33
The OVN™ Concept: Summary
• Recent research on vitamin requirement of modern farm animals under current
husbandry conditions is limited; tabular recommendations may underestimate
the actual needs of poultry.
• Clinical / subclinical vitamin deficiency can still occur:
• optimum vitamin supplementation prevents from deficiency and helps to
entirely exploit the genetic performance potential of livestock.
• Superior dietary supplementation levels of certain vitamins do provide
additional value, such as improved stress and disease resistance, adequate
welfare or better product quality.
Page 34