title: Production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and formation of medullary bone in the egg-laying hen.
abstract: Renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1-hydroxylase, the percentage of medullary bone in the femur, plasma calcium, and plasma phosphorus were measured in female chickens reaching maturity. These parameters and plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels were also measured during the daily egg-laying cycle in mature hens. The renal 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-l-hydroxylase becomes elevated in maturing hens before and at the time of ovulation. This elevation in the 1-hydroxylase correlates with the elevation in total plasma calcium concentration but lags and at the time of ovulation and is followed by a further elevation of plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels. The plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D level remains high until 12 h postovulation. At this time, it falls to the preovulation level. No relationship could be found between the plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels and the changes in medullary bone found during the egg-laying cycle. However, plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels are highest immediately before and during the egg shell calcification phase of the egg-laying cycle.
mesh_terms: D015090:25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism; D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D001846:Bone Development; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D002645:Chickens; D004100:Dihydroxycholecalciferols / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols / Q000378:metabolism*; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology; D010058:Oviposition; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D004100:Dihydroxycholecalciferols; D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols; D010710:Phosphates; D015090:25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1-alpha-Hydroxylase; D002118:Calcium