Cutaneous Vitamin D Synthesis in Carnivorous Species

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    Abstract

    The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of the ability to synthesize sufficient amounts of vitamin D in the skin of different carnivorous species. To this endskin tissue of 22 different carnivorous species were collected from dead animals from zoo�s and our pathology department. Wis tar rat skin served as a positive control.Cholesterol, 7-DHC, and vitamin D content was determined after UVB exposure at 37�C, and compared to non-irradiated skin.Overall, there was a significant effect of species and skin thickness, but not of UVB irradiation, on 7-DHC and vitamin D concentrations of the skin.The relatively low cutaneous levels of the vitamin D precursor 7-DHC observed in this study suggest that most terrestrial carnivores are unable to synthesize sufficient amounts of vitamin D. The results have to be taken into account when preparing food for these species when held under captive conditions.
    Original languageEnglish
    Article number1031
    Pages (from-to)1-4
    Number of pages4
    JournalJournal of veterinary medicine and research
    Volume2
    Issue number4
    Publication statusPublished - 5 Aug 2015

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