Chung Thau Kiong

Manager, Strategic Product Management, Special Nutrients, Greater Asia Pacific

dsm-firmenich

Singapore

Thau Kiong is Manager, Strategic Product Management, Special Nutrients, Vitamins and Carotenoids, Greater Asia Pacific. He has more than 34 years of experience working in the feed additive industry and currently holds 10 patents (granted) on the application of Hy-D 25(OH)D₃ in fertility, progeny vitality, myogenesis and anti-inflammatories. His current interests are in comparative vitamin D nutrition and metabolism, anti-inflammatory mechanisms, microbial nutrient metabolism and epigenetics.

Thau Kiong has a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, USA and Master’s and PhD degrees in non-ruminant nutrition from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA.

Session

Risk Management, Health & Functional Feeds

Presentation

Why Does the Form of Supplemental Vitamin D₃ Matter in Fish Diets?

Abstract

Advancements in fish production have necessitated changes in feed formulations as the availability of marine ingredients declines. These shifts have placed increasing pressure on vitamin D₃ levels in aquafeeds and fillets, presenting risks to fish welfare, product quality, and downstream consumer nutrition.

Fish (e.g., salmonids) exhibit higher vitamin D₃ requirements compared to terrestrial animals. This is attributed to short half-lives of 25(OH)D₃ and limited in vivo bioconversion of vitamin D₃ to 25(OH)D₃, underscoring the need for consistent dietary supplementation as an essential factor for optimizing vitamin D₃ nutrition system.

25-hydroxy vitamin D₃ is recognized as an efficient metabolite of vitamin D₃ for fish. Its supplementation in feeds enables fish to bypass limitations in vitamin D₃ activation, thereby supporting physiologically active vitamin D₃ levels and enhancing overall vitamin D system optimization.

Inclusion of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D₃ in rainbow trout diets significantly elevates blood-circulating levels of this metabolite. Research indicates this vitamin D₃ form demonstrates greater efficacy than standard vitamin D₃ in improving growth rates and feed conversion ratios (FCR). Additionally, it facilitates improved utilization and retention of macro- and micro-minerals.

Vitamin D deficiency in fish is associated with reduced growth and yield, skeletal deformities due to inadequate mineralization, and compromised immune function and tissue regeneration. 25-hydroxy vitamin D₃ provides a means to maintain optimal vitamin D status in fish.

25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ serves as more than a dietary vitamin D supplement for fish. Its roles extend to the regulation of essential core physiological processes via its hormonal form, 1α,25(OH)₂D₃. This metabolite functions as a targeted nutritional agent, contributing to key aspects of fish health and performance, such as growth, feed efficiency, resilience, welfare, and product quality.

25-hydroxyvitaminD₃ offers a proven and effective solution for vitamin D supplementation in contemporary fish diets.

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