Influence of blanketing and season on vitamin D and parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium concentrations in horses in New Zealand

The aims of the study were to determine effect of season and blanketing on vitamin D synthesis in horses, and examine the interaction between vitamin D and other analytes involved in calcium homeostasis. Twenty-one healthy horses at pasture were included; 5 were covered with standard horse blankets including neck rugs. Blood samples were collected for 13 mo and analyzed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 (25OHD2), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), ionized calcium (iCa), total calcium (tCa), phosphorus (P), total magnesium (tMg) and parathyroid hormone (PTH).
Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - Category: Endocrinology Authors: Source Type: research