Effects of Calcium, Phosphorus and Vitamin D on Growing Mink (Mustela Vison)

The present study investigated the effects of dietary calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and vitamin D (VD) supplements on growth performance, Ca:P digestion and metabolism, and serum biochemical indexes of growing male mink (Mustela vison) under conditions of a fixed 2:1 ratio of Ca to P. About 135 dark male mink were randomly assigned to nine groups. The experiment was conducted with a 3 x 3 (Ca:P x VD) factorial design using a corn-fish meal-based diet that contained 2.3% Ca, 1.15% P, and 2100 IU kg(-1) VD. The supplementary Ca and P levels were 0%:0%, 0.4%:0.2%, and 0.8%:0.4% of the diets, respectively, whereas supplementary VD levels were 0, 2000, and 4000 IU kg(-1). The Ca and P dosage had a significant effect on growth performance of the mink (P < 0.05). The appropriate VD level, which was 4100 IU kg(-1), significantly improved protein utilization and Ca and P digestibility of growing mink (P < 0.05). In addition, excreta pollution to the environment was also significantly reduced (P < 0.05). In conclusion, Ca:P (3.1%:1.55%) and VD (4100 IU kg(-1)) had an important effect on growth performance and protein utilization in growing mink and could reduce environmental pollution by improving protein and P utilization.