Towards the determination of the level of dietary phosphorus in high-producing sows

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The main purpose of this project is to improve the dietary phosphorus (P) metabolism and interfering factors' knowledge to develop a mathematical model representing the fate of dietary P and calcium(Ca) in the sow to optimize their use, better define research priorities and establish dietary P and Ca recommendations. Specifically the objectives are improving sow welfare and longevity and the sustainability of the production by: 1) Adapting the model of the fate of dietary phosphorus and calcium developed in growing pigs to sows. 2) Developing a non-invasive tool to assess bone mineral status based on Ca:P ratio in urine in pigs and sows, 3) Following-up blood markers of bone formation and resorption and Ca and P in blood and urine in relation to production stage (gestation and lactation), 4) Simulate bone reserves remodeling in sows, and 5) Establish optimal P and Ca feeding strategies using the developed model. In comparison to growing pigs low research effort has been given to the sow's mineral requirement because first of the few non-invasive methods available and second, the fact that research costs on sows a major challenge. Mathematical modelling is a powerful tool that simultaneously takes into account all the mechanisms involved in a given system and predicts the relationships that describe its behaviour by integrating the data already published on a subject of study. Such a tool is very powerful in nutrition because it allows a multicriteria approach and the adaptation of recommendations according to the objective of the targeted production objectives. The development of a multicriteria approach integrating the acquired knowledge and new fundamental results, through an experimental trial, a meta-analysis and the development of a mathematical model representing the fate of dietary P and Ca in the sow, will help optimize their use, better defined research priorities and allow the establishment of dietary P and Ca recommendations.