Effects of Dietary Calcium and Phosphorus Levels on Growth Performance, Calcium–Phosphorus Homeostasis, and Gut Microbiota in Ningxiang Pigs
Optimal dietary calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) requirements remain undetermined for Ningxiang pigs, a valuable indigenous Chinese breed. This study conducted a continuous feeding trial with two growth phases (grower: 30–50 kg; finisher: 50–80 kg) using fixed Ca/P ratios to systematically evaluate t...
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2025-07-01
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| author | Wenzhi Liu Cheng Zhang Xijie Kuang Xianglin Zeng Jiaqi Zhang Qiye Wang Huansheng Yang |
| author_facet | Wenzhi Liu Cheng Zhang Xijie Kuang Xianglin Zeng Jiaqi Zhang Qiye Wang Huansheng Yang |
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| description | Optimal dietary calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) requirements remain undetermined for Ningxiang pigs, a valuable indigenous Chinese breed. This study conducted a continuous feeding trial with two growth phases (grower: 30–50 kg; finisher: 50–80 kg) using fixed Ca/P ratios to systematically evaluate the effects of Ca/P levels on growth performance and mineral metabolism. A total of 180 pigs per phase were allocated to four Ca/P levels. During the grower phase, a dietary regimen of 0.83% Ca/0.67% P significantly increased the average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy and P. In the finisher phase, 0.60/0.48% Ca/P showed optimal growth performance, upregulated jejunal mineral transporters (<i>CaSR</i> and <i>SLC34A2</i>), enhanced bone mineralization (metatarsal ash content), and improved intestinal morphology (duodenal and jejunal villus height, jejunal villus surface area). This regimen also selectively enriched <i>Peptostreptococcaceae</i> abundance, indicating improved host–microbe interactions. Based on these findings, stage-specific nutritional strategies were recommended: 0.83% Ca/0.67% P during the grower phase and 0.60% Ca/0.48% P during the finisher phase. These protocols synergistically improve microbial ecology, intestinal function, and bone metabolism, thereby maximizing the growth potential of Ningxiang pigs. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | DOAJ |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-7ebf54c1d6e041d59632ccdee47a6c4b2025-08-20T03:07:58ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-07-01157108310.3390/life15071083Effects of Dietary Calcium and Phosphorus Levels on Growth Performance, Calcium–Phosphorus Homeostasis, and Gut Microbiota in Ningxiang PigsWenzhi Liu0Cheng Zhang1Xijie Kuang2Xianglin Zeng3Jiaqi Zhang4Qiye Wang5Huansheng Yang6Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Human Health, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, ChinaHunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Human Health, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, ChinaHunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Human Health, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, ChinaHunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Human Health, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, ChinaHunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Human Health, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, ChinaHunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Human Health, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, ChinaHunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Function and Regulation, Hunan International Joint Laboratory of Animal Intestinal Ecology and Health, Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Human Health, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, ChinaOptimal dietary calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) requirements remain undetermined for Ningxiang pigs, a valuable indigenous Chinese breed. This study conducted a continuous feeding trial with two growth phases (grower: 30–50 kg; finisher: 50–80 kg) using fixed Ca/P ratios to systematically evaluate the effects of Ca/P levels on growth performance and mineral metabolism. A total of 180 pigs per phase were allocated to four Ca/P levels. During the grower phase, a dietary regimen of 0.83% Ca/0.67% P significantly increased the average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of energy and P. In the finisher phase, 0.60/0.48% Ca/P showed optimal growth performance, upregulated jejunal mineral transporters (<i>CaSR</i> and <i>SLC34A2</i>), enhanced bone mineralization (metatarsal ash content), and improved intestinal morphology (duodenal and jejunal villus height, jejunal villus surface area). This regimen also selectively enriched <i>Peptostreptococcaceae</i> abundance, indicating improved host–microbe interactions. Based on these findings, stage-specific nutritional strategies were recommended: 0.83% Ca/0.67% P during the grower phase and 0.60% Ca/0.48% P during the finisher phase. These protocols synergistically improve microbial ecology, intestinal function, and bone metabolism, thereby maximizing the growth potential of Ningxiang pigs.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/1083calciumphosphorusbone mineralizationintestinal morphologygut microbiota |
| spellingShingle | Wenzhi Liu Cheng Zhang Xijie Kuang Xianglin Zeng Jiaqi Zhang Qiye Wang Huansheng Yang Effects of Dietary Calcium and Phosphorus Levels on Growth Performance, Calcium–Phosphorus Homeostasis, and Gut Microbiota in Ningxiang Pigs Life calcium phosphorus bone mineralization intestinal morphology gut microbiota |
| title | Effects of Dietary Calcium and Phosphorus Levels on Growth Performance, Calcium–Phosphorus Homeostasis, and Gut Microbiota in Ningxiang Pigs |
| title_full | Effects of Dietary Calcium and Phosphorus Levels on Growth Performance, Calcium–Phosphorus Homeostasis, and Gut Microbiota in Ningxiang Pigs |
| title_fullStr | Effects of Dietary Calcium and Phosphorus Levels on Growth Performance, Calcium–Phosphorus Homeostasis, and Gut Microbiota in Ningxiang Pigs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of Dietary Calcium and Phosphorus Levels on Growth Performance, Calcium–Phosphorus Homeostasis, and Gut Microbiota in Ningxiang Pigs |
| title_short | Effects of Dietary Calcium and Phosphorus Levels on Growth Performance, Calcium–Phosphorus Homeostasis, and Gut Microbiota in Ningxiang Pigs |
| title_sort | effects of dietary calcium and phosphorus levels on growth performance calcium phosphorus homeostasis and gut microbiota in ningxiang pigs |
| topic | calcium phosphorus bone mineralization intestinal morphology gut microbiota |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/1083 |
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