Review article

https://doi.org/10.46419/vs.54.1.7

Vitamin D function in sheep

Marko Ružić ; Medikal Lux d.o.o., Croatia
Ana Shek Vugrovečki ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Daniel Špoljarić ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Branimira Špoljarić ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Miljenko Šimpraga ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Ivona Žura Žaja ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Suzana Milinković Tur ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Nina Poljičak Milas ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Josip Miljković ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia
Mario Živković ; Gea-com d.o.o., Budačka rijeka 79b, Croatia
AnaMaria Sluganović ; Novartis Croatia d.o.o., Croatia
Maja Popović ; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The incomplete nutrition of animals, including sheep, can lead to a disruption of homeostasis, reduced production, development of disease, and even animal death. Vitamin D refers to a group of closely related substances that possess antirachitic activity. This is the only vitamin that is not only taken into the organism by way of dietary origin (hay, food of animal origin in carnivores), but is also synthetised in the body (skin) with the help of sunlight. Typically, grazing sheep rarely need vitamin D supplements. This is because sheep can compensate for the lack of vitamin D in their food by synthesizing vitamin D in the skin if they are exposed to UVB radiation or sunlight. However, if sheep exposure to the sun is reduced by prolonged bad weather or indoor animal breeding, and when the vitamin D2 content of the diet is low, then the animal may have insufficient vitamin D consumption. In lambs, vitamin D deficiency is manifested by rickets, and in adult sheep by osteomalacia and hypocalcaemia. In sheep, this usually occurs in late pregnancy but has been observed in animals of all ages. Following the above, the aim of this review is to acquaint veterinarians with new knowledge about the roles and metabolism of vitamin D in sheep and its importance for the health and maintenance of productive abilities of the individual animal or herd.

Keywords

vitamin D; sheep; metabolism; deficiency; toxicity

Hrčak ID:

273748

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/273748

Publication date:

25.5.2022.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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