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1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol analogs cannot replace vitamin D in normocalcemic male rats
1Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706.
Abstract:
A possible role of vitamin D in the growth and development of rats was investigated. Impaired development was observed in normocalcemic, vitamin D-deficient male and female rats, as revealed by low intestinal calcium transport, low renal vitamin D receptor levels and poor bone mineralization. Analogs of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, possessing reduced calcium-mobilizing activity in intestine and bone but retaining differentiation activity in cultured cells, were unable to support normal development of normocalcemic, vitamin D-deficient male rats. These results suggest that either the calcium-mobilizing activity alone or both the calcium-mobilizing activity and differentiating activity of vitamin D are required for normal development or that the analogs are inactive in vivo. We also demonstrated sex-related differences in intestinal calcium transport, renal vitamin D receptor regulation and bone mineralization that were independent of vitamin D status.
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