Vitamin D Metabolism in the Hooded Seal (Cystophora cristata)

Abstract

Fish-eating mammals, such as seals, appear to ingest levels of vitamin D that are toxic to most mammals. To determine how seals cope with high vitamin D intakes, the metabolism of tritiated cholecalciferol ([3H]D3) was investigated in hooded seal (Cystophora cristata) pups during their postweaning fast and pups and adults consuming herring alone or supplemented with 400,000 iu D3 daily. [3H]D3 was metabolized to 25-[3H]OHD3 and 24,25-[3H](OH)2D3. 1,25-[3H](OH)2D3 was not detected, but plasma levels of 1,25-(OH)2D were similar to those in other mammals and were not affected by vitamin D intake. Plasma vitamin D, 25-OHD and 24,25-(OH)2D increased with vitamin D intake, but 25-OHD did not increase to the extent seen in other mammals. The supplemented seals showed no evidence of toxicity. Levels of 24,25-(OH)2D were higher in the unsupplemented seals (4 to 33 ng/mL) than reported in other mammals with similar 25-OHD levels and did not decrease with 25-OHD. High levels of 24,25-(OH)2D relative to 25-OHD have also been found in hooded seals in the wild. The half-lives of vitamin D, 25-OHD and 24,25-(OH)2D were shorter than those reported for most other mammals. Increased conversion of 25-OHD to 24,25-(OH)2D and a high capacity for vitamin D storage in their large blubber mass appeared to be factors in the resistance of seals to vitamin D toxicity.