VITAMIN D

ESSENTIALS
D2 D3

Ergocalciferol, also known as vitamin D2, is a Cholecalciferol, also known as vitamin

type of vitamin D found in food and used as a D3 is a type of vitamin D which is made
dietary supplement. It can be found in mushrooms by the skin when exposed to sunlight;
that have been exposed to UV light. it is also found in some foods and is
common in dietary supplements.

Terms to
Know
25 (OH) D3
CALCITRIOL
The major form found in the blood and
Calcitriol is the active form of vitamin D, is the relatively inactive precursor to
normally made in the kidney. It is also known the active hormone, 1,25-
as 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. It binds to dihydroxyvitamin D. Because of its
and activates the vitamin D receptor in the long half-life and higher
nucleus of the cell, which then increases the concentration, 25-hydroxyvitamin D is
expression of many genes. Calcitriol increases commonly measured to assess and
blood calcium (Ca2+) mainly by increasing the monitor vitamin D status in
uptake of calcium from the intestines. individuals.
 f ic ant
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Food & supplement

sources of D3
VITAMIN D METABOLISM
Figure 1 - Vitamin D pathways. In the skin,
7-dehydrocholesterol is converted to pre-
vitamin D3 and then to vitamin D3. This is
transported to the liver via DBP, which also
transports 25(OH)D3 to the kidney. In the
kidney, 25(OH)D3 is taken up by tubular
cells and undergoes conversion to the
active 1,25 (OH)2D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3.
Vitamin D2 comes from the diet (yeasts and
fungi) and is converted to 25(OH)D2 in the
liver and to 1,25(OH)2D2 and
24,25(OH)2D2 in the kidney. DBP, vitamin
D binding protein 25(OH)D3, 25 hydroxy
vitamin D.
 Food Sources for Fresh Feeders

OILY FISH LIVER EGG YOLK

Includes sardines, herring and
anchovies, and other larger
pelagic fish such as salmon,
trout, tuna, swordfish and
mackerel.
Mammalian livers tends to have Egg yolk is rich in vitamin D. The
higher vitamin D levels than white of the egg is rich in protein.
poultry livers.
 Low Vitamin D Risk
Factors
DIET POOR ABSORPTION AGE & HORMONAL LOW FAT FRESH
STATUS FOOD DIETS
The effect of diet on GI diseases like IBD
serum 25- will decrease the Spayed females have Vitamin D is stored in
hydroxyvitamin D absorption of VitD. 10% less 25 (OH)VitD the fat as 1, 25
concentrations in dogs Genetic factors can than intact females hydroxy vitamin D.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm impair absorption or and neutered males Those feeding raw of
.nih.gov/26374201/ metabolism in some have 30% less than lightly cooked diets
dogs. intact males. After the need to be aware of
https://onlinelibrary.w age of 5, vitamin D the fat content of their
iley.com/doi/full/10.11 levels drop about 3% meals, and adjust or
11/jpn.13259 per year. supplement
accordingly.
 Research & Resources
SERUM CONCENTRATIONS OF VITAMIN D SHOWS IN VIVO DR. KENDRA POPE CHECK YOUR PET FOOD
1,25- EFFICACY IN A PLACEBO-
DIHYDROXYCHOLECALCIFEROL CONTROLLED, DOUBLE- https://www.drkendrapope.com https://www.checkyourpetfood.com
AND 25- BLINDED,
HYDROXYCHOLECALCIFEROL IN RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL Vitamin D and related testing
CLINICALLY NORMAL DOGS AND ON CANINE ATOPIC DERMATITIS
DOGS WITH ACUTE AND
CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/13 005438/
677396/
The Role of
Vitamin D in
Veterinary
Oncology: A
Literature
Review