Sequential sampling and analysis of renal hydroxylase activities of cattle given 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3

A new method was developed for sequential sampling of bovine renal cortex. This method results in minimum hemorrhage and adhesions and provides sufficient renal cortex tissue for assay of 25-hydroxyvitamin D 1 alpha-, 24-, and 23-hydroxylase activities. Application of this procedure in calves and pregnant cows treated with 1 alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3 is described. The success of these experiments suggests these techniques could be used to follow enzyme activities that control crucial aspects of vitamin D metabolism in normal peripartum cows and cows with milk fever or other diseases of mineral metabolism.