The present invention relates to the use of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 to improve the general health status of female animals at least during gestation and/or lactation. The invention also relates to the use of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 in animal breeding. More particular, the invention relates to the use of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 for improving litter size and vitality of piglets in pig breeding and for providing better body frame and increasing gestation backfat gain, reducing lactation backfat loss and increasing lactation feed intake of sows and gilts.本發明係關於至少在妊娠期及/或哺乳期期間25－羥基維他命D3於改善雌性動物之整體健康狀態之用途。本發明亦係關於25－羥基維他命D3於動物繁殖中之用途。更特定言之，本發明係關於25－羥基維他命D3用於在豬繁殖中改善幼仔數量及小豬之生命力及用於對牝豬及小母豬提供更好之身架及增加妊娠期背膘增量、降低哺乳期背膘損失以及增加哺乳期進食量的用途。
