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Journal of equine science2022; 33(3); 45-49; doi: 10.1294/jes.33.45

Undetectable vitamin D3 in equine skin irradiated with ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Vitamin D requirements for most animals are expected to be fulfilled through daily exposure of the skin to solar ultraviolet B radiation. The synthesis of vitamin D in skin depends on different factors including melanin pigmentation, the amount of UVB radiation reaching the skin, type of clothing/hair coat, latitude and altitude, season, and time of day. Alternatively vitamin D may be obtained from UVB irradiated pasture species. Recent studies have shown that in unsupplemented grazing horses 25-hydroxyvitamin D is the predominant form of vitamin D in plasma, and that 25OHD is undetectable suggesting horses may rely on diet to obtain vitamin D. In order to mimic the natural environment of skin to sunlight exposure, five equine and two ovine devitalized skin samples were irradiated with 5 J/cm of UVB light followed by measurement of 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) and vitamin D concentrations using reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC revealed the presence of 7-DHC in the skin of both horses and sheep. Vitamin D was undetectable in both ovine and equine skin prior to irradiation, but after irradiation with UVB light, ovine skin showed an increase in vitamin D concentration (mean 0.16 ± 0.07 µg/g), whereas vitamin D was undetectable in equine skin. These results provide additional evidence that horses make negligible quantities of vitamin D in their skin after exposure to UVB light and may therefore rely on their diet as a primary source of vitamin D.
©2022 The Japanese Society of Equine Science.
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Publication Date: 2022-09-21 PubMed ID: 36196139PubMed Central: PMC9522623DOI: 10.1294/jes.33.45Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

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 investigates the relationship between skin exposure to ultraviolet radiation and vitamin D synthesis in the skin of horses. The study proposes that horses depend on their diet for vitamin D, as their skin makes negligible quantities of the vitamin after exposure to UVB light.

Research Purpose

  • The study aimed at understanding how equine skin reacts to exposure to ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) light and its subsequent role in the creation of vitamin D.
  • Additionally, it aimed to explore the hypothesis that horses predominantly rely on their diet, rather than sunlight exposure, to meet their vitamin D needs.

Methods and Materials

  • Five equine (horse) and two ovine (sheep) devitalized skin samples were used for this study.
  • The skin samples were exposed to 5 J/cm of UVB light to simulate the natural environment of skin to sunlight exposure.
  • Following the exposure, the concentration of 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) and vitamin D was measured using reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Results

  • The presence of 7-DHC, which is an essential substance for the production of vitamin D, was revealed in the skin of both horses and sheep through HPLC.
  • Vitamin D was undetectable in both ovine and equine skin before irradiation.
  • However, post-irradiation, the ovine skin showed an increase in Vitamin D concentration (mean 0.16 ± 0.07 µg/g), while Vitamin D remained undetectable in the equine skin.

Conclusion

  • The study provides evidence supporting the theory that horses produce negligible quantities of Vitamin D in their skin after UVB light exposure.
  • Hence, it suggests that horses may rely on their diet as a primary source of Vitamin D.

Cite This Article

APA
Azarpeykan S, Gee EK, Thompson KG, Dittmer KE. (2022). Undetectable vitamin D3 in equine skin irradiated with ultraviolet light. J Equine Sci, 33(3), 45-49. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.33.45

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 33
Issue: 3
Pages: 45-49

Researcher Affiliations

Azarpeykan, Sara
  • School of Veterinary Science, Tennent Drive, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
Gee, Erica K
  • School of Veterinary Science, Tennent Drive, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
Thompson, Keith G
  • School of Veterinary Science, Tennent Drive, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.
Dittmer, Keren E
  • School of Veterinary Science, Tennent Drive, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand.

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Citations

This article has been cited 6 times.
  1. Dosi MCM, Riggs CM, May J, Lee A, Cillan-Garcia E, Pagan J, McGorum BC. Thoroughbred Racehorses in Hong Kong Require Vitamin D Supplementation to Mitigate the Risk of Low Vitamin D Status. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jun 29;13(13).
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  2. Bjørklund G, Butnariu M, Gurgas L, Hangan T. Vitamin D and Diabetes: Exploring the Link, Prevention, and Management. Curr Med Chem 2026;33(4):689-707.
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    doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1515939pubmed: 40510676google scholar: lookup
  4. Alemi M, Ahmadi Sheikhsarmast S, Mohri M. Serum 25(OH) Vitamin D Concentrations in Horses: Effects of Age, Gender, Breed, Skin Colour and Season. Vet Med Sci 2025 Jan;11(1):e70092.
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