Seasonal variation in vitamin D status of beef cattle reared in the central United States

The objective was to retrospectively measure seasonal sunlight associated variation in serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) in beef cattle. The concentration of 25OHD was measured in crossbred animals born from March-May in 2011 and 2012. Vitamin D status 2-3 mo post-birth (Period 1) was only available for 2012 calves and was measured June 2012. Period 1 animals had serum 25OHD concentrations of 26.3 ± 1.5 ng/mL. The 25OHD concentrations for late summer (Period 2) were 46.6 ± 1.4 and 51.0 ± 1.5 ng/mL for 2011 and 2012, respectively.

Source: Domestic Animal Endocrinology - March 22, 2015 Category: Endocrinology Authors: E. Casas, J.D. Lippolis, L.A. Kuehn, T.A. Reinhardt Source Type: research