Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2026
In Vivo Augmentation of Gut-Homing Regulatory T Cell Induction
Published on: January 22, 2020
25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels among Callithrix penicillata primate species raised in captivity
Danilo Simonini Teixeira1, Luiz Claudio G Castro, Yanna Karla M Nóbrega
1Primatology Center, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
Background:
Animals in captivity should receive adequate sunlight exposure for sufficient generation of vitamin D [25(OH)D]. In the present study, 25(OH)D serum levels of 84 Callithrix penicillata primates were evaluated.
Objectives:
To determine 25(OH)D levels of those animals; to evaluate the influence of gender and period of sunlight exposure on their 25(OH)D levels.
Methods:
Three groups were evaluated: group 1 (n = 29) on free sunlight exposure; group 2 (n = 34) on partial sunlight exposure; group 3 (n = 21) without sunlight exposure.
Results:
The obtained 25(OH)D values were: group 1, 121.2 +/- 33.3 ng/ml; group 2, 115.2 +/- 32.2 ng/ml; group 3, 53.3 +/- 10.4 ng/ml. Significant statistical differences were obtained between groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.001) and groups 2 and 3 (p < 0.001); no statistical difference was found between genders.
Conclusion:
Direct sunlight exposure is essential for 25(OH)D sufficiency and it is proposed that the 25(OH)D normal range for captive Callithrix penicillata would be from 104.8 to 137.1 ng/ml (CI = 95%).
Related Concept Videos
01:23Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin D3(cholecalciferol).
01:21Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis