Plasma transport of ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol and their 25-hydroxylated metabolites in dairy cows

In cattle there are 2 significant forms of vitamin D: ergocalciferol (ERG) from fungi on roughage and cholecalciferol (CHO) from vitamin supplements or endogenous synthesis in the skin. The hypothesis of the present study is that vitamin D from the 3 sources is transported in different plasma fractions in the body. This is hypothesised to explain the lower efficiency of ERG compared to CHO in securing a sufficient plasma status of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and explain the inefficient excretion of dietary CHO into milk compared to endogenous CHO.
Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - Category: Endocrinology Authors: Source Type: research