Vitamin D levels stay steady year-round in northern European dogs

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies in veterinary species have recently linked vitamin D status with nonskeletal health disorders. Previous studies have indicated that dogs cannot produce endogenous vitamin D via cutaneous production and rely solely on dietary intake of vitamin D. The seasonal variation of vitamin D seen in humans due to changes in ultraviolet (UV) exposure, therefore, is unlikely to be replicated in these animals. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the natural variation in 25-hydroxyvitamin-D concentrations in dogs subject to seasonal UV exposure. METHODS: This longitudinal study followed 18 healthy dogs fed a standardized diet over 1 year, with blood samples obtained monthly. Two key vitamin D metabolites, 25-hydroxyvitamin-Dand 25-hydroxyvitamin-D, were assessed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in serum samples. Various other biochemical parameters were also measured. Seasonality was assessed using cosinor statistical analysis. RESULTS: Although the dogs were subject to seasonally varying UV radiation, 25-hydroxyvitamin-D and related biomarkers (including calcium and parathyroid hormone) remained stable over time and did not follow a seasonal pattern. 25-hydroxyvitamin-D was not positively correlated with exposure to UV radiation. Nonetheless, variation in 25-hydroxyvitamin-D concentrations between individual dogs was detected. CONCLUSIONS: Given the standardization of diet, we concluded that the seasonal stability of 25-hydroxyvitamin-D concentration (vitamin D status) was likely a direct result of lack of cutaneous vitamin D production in this species and highlights the importance of dietary intake. The variation in 25-hydroxyvitamin-D concentration between animals warrants further investigation.