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Domestic animal endocrinology2016; 56; 75-84; doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.03.003

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

Abstract: The aims of the study were to determine the 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). Grass and hay samples were collected and analyzed for vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Climate data were also collected. The serum concentration of 25OHD3 in horses was either undetectable or below the detection limit of the assay, and the main form of 25OHD was 25OHD2. No differences in serum 25OHD2, 1,25(OH)2D, iCa, tCa, P, tMg, and PTH (P ≥ 0.05) concentrations were seen between the 2 groups. Associations were seen between iCa and PTH (P < 0.05), iCa and tMg (P < 0.05), and dietary vitamin D and 25OHD2 (P < 0.05). A strong seasonal trend was seen in serum 25OHD2 (P < 0.0001), which was higher during spring and summer when the amount of sunshine and UV radiation was higher. Parathyroid hormone and 1,25(OH)2D showed opposing trends with PTH higher in winter whereas 1,25(OH)2D was higher in summer. The results suggest that dietary vitamin D may be necessary for horses to fulfill their vitamin D requirements; however, further research is required to determine the contribution of vitamin D3 synthesis in the skin to the vitamin D status of the horse.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2016-03-19 PubMed ID: 27131337DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.03.003Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research studied the impact of seasons and horse-blanketing practices on vitamin D production and other minerals involved in calcium homeostasis. The researchers discovered a clear seasonal pattern, with higher concentrations of vitamin D in spring and summer, perhaps linked to the enhanced exposure to sunlight during these periods. However, whether horse-blankets and Vitamin D3 synthesis from skin contribute significantly to a horse’s vitamin D levels requires further study.

Objective of the Study

  • The study aimed to explore the influence of blanketing (covering the horse with blankets) and seasonal changes on vitamin D synthesis in horses. Moreover, it sought to investigate the interaction between vitamin D and other substances that play key roles in calcium homeostasis (i.e., the process of maintaining stable levels of calcium in the bloodstream).

Methodology

  • 21 healthy horses, 5 of which were covered with standard horse blankets, participated in the study, which lasted for 13 months.
  • The researchers collected blood samples to measure the concentrations of different forms of vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and D3, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D), ionized calcium, total calcium, phosphorus, total magnesium, and parathyroid hormone.
  • The study also examined grass and hay samples, analysing them for their contents of vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. In addition, climate data were collected.

Findings

  • The researchers found that 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in horse serum was either undetectable or below the detection limit of the assay. The main form of vitamin D detected was 25-hydroxyvitamin D2.
  • There were no noticeable differences in the rates of 25OHD2, 1,25(OH)2D, ionized and total calcium, phosphorus, total magnesium, and parathyroid hormone concentrations between the blanketed and non-blanketed horses.
  • Statistically significant correlations were observed between ionized calcium and parathyroid hormone, ionized calcium and total magnesium, and dietary vitamin D and 25OHD2.
  • The team found a significant seasonal trend in 25OHD2 levels—these were higher in spring and summer when the amount of sunshine and UV radiation was higher. In contrast, parathyroid hormone was higher in winter, while 1,25(OH)2D was higher in summer.

Conclusion of the Study

  • The study suggests that horses may need to consume vitamin D in their diets to fulfill their requirements, but more research is needed to definitively determine the contribution of vitamin D3 synthesis in the skin to the horse’s vitamin D status.

Cite This Article

APA
Azarpeykan S, Dittmer KE, Gee EK, Marshall JC, Wallace J, Elder P, Acke E, Thompson KG. (2016). Influence of blanketing and season on vitamin D and parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations in horses in New Zealand. Domest Anim Endocrinol, 56, 75-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.03.003

Publication

Domestic animal endocrinology
ISSN: 1879-0054
NlmUniqueID: 8505191
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 56
Pages: 75-84

Researcher Affiliations

Azarpeykan, S
  • Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Science (IVABS), Tennent Drive, Massey University, New Zealand 4442. Electronic address: S.Azarpeykan@massey.ac.nz.
Dittmer, K E
  • Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Science (IVABS), Tennent Drive, Massey University, New Zealand 4442.
Gee, E K
  • Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Science (IVABS), Tennent Drive, Massey University, New Zealand 4442.
Marshall, J C
  • Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Science (IVABS), Tennent Drive, Massey University, New Zealand 4442.
Wallace, J
  • Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Elder, P
  • Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Acke, E
  • Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Science (IVABS), Tennent Drive, Massey University, New Zealand 4442.
Thompson, K G
  • Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Science (IVABS), Tennent Drive, Massey University, New Zealand 4442.

MeSH Terms

  • Animal Husbandry / methods
  • Animals
  • Calcifediol / blood
  • Calcium / blood
  • Diet / veterinary
  • Female
  • Horses / blood
  • Magnesium
  • Male
  • New Zealand
  • Nutritional Requirements
  • Parathyroid Hormone / blood
  • Phosphorus / blood
  • Seasons
  • Skin / metabolism
  • Sunlight
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin D / analogs & derivatives
  • Vitamin D / biosynthesis
  • Vitamin D / blood

Citations

This article has been cited 15 times.
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