ABSTRACT: Finishing pigs (N = 224; 28.66 ± 1.90 kg bodyweight) were randomly assigned across 56 pens of either four barrows or gilts, and assigned to one of four diets: control (7,656 IU vitamin A/kg), control supplemented with vitamin A (4.36 ppm, Rovimix A 1000, DSM, Parsippany, NJ, USA), control supplemented with beta-carotene (163.28 ppm, Rovimix β-Carotene 10%, DSM, Parsippany), or control supplemented with oxidized beta-carotene (40 ppm; 10% active ingredient, Avivagen, Ottawa, ON, Canada). Pigs and feeder weights were obtained at the start of the study (d 0), and end of each phase (d 21, 42, and 63). A subset of gilts had a blood sample taken via jugular venipuncture on d 0, a blood sample and vaccinations of Lawsonia intracellularis and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) on d 18, a blood sampl
