The effects of age, sex, breed, diet, reproductive status and housing condition on the amounts of 25(OH) vitamin D in the serum of healthy dogs: Reference values

Abstract

Background Optimal amount of vitamin D for the proper functioning of the immune system is different from the required vitamin D amount for bones to prevent rickets. However, reports on vitamin D reference values in dogs are minimal, and there is still not enough information regarding the relationship between vitamin D and various variables such as disease, age, breed, diet type, and so on, as well as its relationship with haematological and serum biochemical parameters. Obgectives The present study aimed to determine reference values of 25(OH) Vit D in dogs and its concentration in different groups, categorized based on age, sex, breed, housing conditions, and diet, as well as 25(OH) Vit D relationship with hematology and serum biochemistry parameters. Methods In this study, 90 healthy dogs were selected to determine the reference value of 25 (OH) Vit D of serum after evaluating of their haematological and biochemical parameters to assess their general health. Dogs were divided into different groups according to above‐mentioned variables. Serum 25 (OH) Vit D was subsequently measured by the ELISA method. Results The median concentration of 25 (OH) Vit D was 52.50 ng/ml with minimum and maximum amounts of 14.00 and 155.57 ng/ml, respectively. No significant difference was observed between 25 (OH) Vit D levels in the studied dogs regarding their different age, sex, breed, diet, housing condition, and reproductive status. Serum 25 (OH) Vit D concentration is directly correlated with the number of band neutrophils (p < 0.05). We also witnessed indirect correlations between serum 25 (OH) Vit D levels and the number of blood eosinophils and serum glucose (p < 0.05). Conclusion In the present study age, sex, breed, housing condition and age had no significant effects on the amounts of 25(OH) vitamin D. According to correlations of vitamin D with MCH, band and eosinophil numbers and glucose, vitamin D may have a role in erythropoiesis and leukocytes response and also in energy metabolism in dog.

Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D receptor, and vitamin D binding protein concentrations in dogs with acute pancreatitis compared to healthy control dogs

“…Second, dogs with AP were older than the healthy dogs. Previous studies have shown that age is not associated with serum 25(OH)D concentrations in dogs 46 nor with serum VDBP concentration in humans 47 . In our study, age was not correlated with serum 25(OH)D and VDBP concentrations in healthy dogs (data not shown), and it is unlikely that the results were affected by age.…”

“…Second, dogs with AP were older than the healthy dogs. Previous studies have shown that age is not associated with serum 25(OH)D concentrations in dogs46 nor with serumT A B L E 2…”