Vitamin D3 Content Research Articles

Effects of dietary vitamin D3 on growth performance, antioxidant capacities and innate immune responses in juvenile black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus.

The aim of this experiment was used to investigate the effects of different contents of dietary vitamin D3 on the growth performance and antioxidant and innate immune responses in juvenile black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus. Black carp juveniles were fed six levels of dietary vitamin D3 (VD3) (96, 220, 412, 840, 1480, and 3008 IU/Kg) for 9 weeks. Results showed that highest weight gain (WG) and special growth ratio (SGR) were obtained at 534.2 IU/Kg dietary VD3 according to the second-order polynomial regression model. The protein efficiency ratio (PER) of black carp could be significantly increased by 412, 840, and 1480 IU/Kg dietary VD3 (p < 0.05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) were reduced by 412, 840, and 1480 IU/Kg dietary VD3 (p < 0.05). Adequate dietary VD3 content (412, 840, and 1480 IU/Kg) could significantly upregulate expression levels of lipoxygenase 5 (LPO 5); increase the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GR); and improve GSH contents and total antioxidant capacities (T-AOC) in the liver of black carp. However, glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly reduced by adequate dietary VD3 content (412, 840, and 1480 IU/Kg) in the fish liver. In addition, 412, 840, and 1480 IU/Kg dietary VD3 could significantly upregulate the mRNA expression levels of interferon-α (IFN-α), lysozyme (LYZ), hepcidin (HEPC), natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (NRAMP), and complement component 3 (C3) and C9 in the hemocytes and liver of black carp juveniles compared with the VD3-deficient diet (96 IU/Kg). Meanwhile, higher contents of dietary VD3 could increase serum LYZ and ACP activities and C3 and C4 contents in black carp juveniles compared with the groups fed VD3-deficient diet. In conclusion, these results suggest that adequate dietary VD3 could increase growth performances, improve antioxidant capacities, and then enhance innate immune parameters in black carp juveniles.

Nutritional value and antioxidant activity of Chinese black truffle (Tuber indicum) grown in different geographical regions in China

Nutritional and health-promoting properties of Tuber indicum are still unclear. In this study, total phenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid contents (TFC) were determined by colorimetric methods; free phenolic acids, vitamin D2 and ergosterol content were determined by HPLC; antioxidant activity were evaluated using ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays; in vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by protease inhibitory assay. Our results indicated that geographical origin exhibits a significant impact on the nutritional and pharmaceutical properties of Tuber indicum. The samples collected from Sichuan present significant higher proteins (23.2 g/100 g dw), ash (6.38 g/100 g dw), 1,3:1,6-β-glucan (14.7 g/100 g dw) and ergosterol content (0.76 mg/g dw); whereas the samples collected from Yunnan present the highest amount of pectin (4.52 g/100 g dw), food energy (345.20 kcal/100 g dw), TPC (1.53 mg GAE/g dw), TFC (1.66 mg CAE/g dw) and the highest ABTS and DPPH values, and potent anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, the samples collected from Jilin presented the highest amount of total carbohydrate (51.7 g/100 g dw), reducing sugar (7.3 g/100 g dw) and total phenolic acids (66.76 μg/g dw). These results will enhance current knowledge about nutritional values, chemical compositions, and biological properties of T. indicum.

The Effect of UV Irradiation on Vitamin D2 Content and Antioxidant and Antiglycation Activities of Mushrooms.

Mushroom irradiation has been considered a sustainable process to generate high amounts of vitamin D2 due to the role of this vitamin for human health and of the global concerns regarding its deficient or inadequate intake. Mushrooms are also receiving increasing interest due to their nutritional and medicinal properties. However, there is still a knowledge gap regarding the effect of UV irradiation on mushroom bioactive compounds. In this study, two of the most cultivated mushroom species worldwide, Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus ostreatus, were irradiated with UV-B, and the effect of processing was investigated on the contents of vitamin D2 as well as on antioxidant and antiglycation activities. UV irradiation increased vitamin D2 up to 57 µg/g d.w, which is an adequate level for the fortification of a number of target foods. UV irradiation decreased the antioxidant activity when measured by the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6 trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl radical assay and the ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power assay, but did not decrease the mushroom’s ability to inhibit glycation of a target protein. These results open up a new area of investigation aimed at selecting mushroom species with high nutraceutical benefits for irradiation in order to maintain their potential properties to inhibit oxidative and glycation processes responsible for human diseases.

Unpurified soybean lecithins impact on the chemistry of proliposomes and liposome dispersions encapsulating vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 (VD3)-loaded proliposomes using the micronized sucrose coating (MSC) technique and mixtures of soybean lecithins with variable degrees of purity were prepared. The phospholipid powders were characterized in terms of water activity, moisture content, solubility, hygroscopicity, moisture adsorption isotherms and the retained amount of VD3. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were the techniques applied to investigate molecular interactions among the ingredients during the coating process, as well as the crystalline structure of the phospholipid powders. Liposome dispersions were produced by hydration of the proliposomes. The liposomal systems were analyzed in terms of hydrodynamic diameter, size distribution, zeta potential and the amount of encapsulated VD3. The morphologies of proliposomes and liposomes were observed using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, respectively. The VD3-proliposomes showed low values for water activity, moisture content and solubility as well as high values for hygroscopicity. Liposome dispersions were in the nanometer range and showed high values for zeta potential, but remained stable for only 15 days, probably due to the high concentrations of unpurified lecithin used throughout the process (≥50% w/w). However, the content of VD3 in proliposomes and in loaded-liposome dispersions reached 81.4 and 90.2%, respectively. The results suggested that it was feasible to prepare VD3-entrapped proliposomes using the MSC method, but storage conditions must be better controlled to maintain their stability.

Determination of vitamin D2 from higher fungi in Vietnam by ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)

Vitamins are non-energy substances that are indispensable for the survival and development of organisms. All living processes associated with metabolism in the body are directly involved in the vitamin. In the present study, we determined optimal conditions to determine vitamin D2 content by ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC). The limit of detection (LOD) is 0.0064 μg/g, limit of quantification (LOQ) is 0.0195 μg/g. The precision and accuracy conforms to AOAC requirements. Thus, the method developed complies with international guides for the determination of vitamin D2 from higher fungi in North Central Vietnam. The results of vitamin D2 function analysis found in mushroom samples ranged from 6.221 - 11.755 μg/g.

Determination of Fat-Soluble Vitamins A, D3, and E in Infant Formula and Milk Powder Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Photodiode Array Detection: Jordan Market as a Case Study

A new, simple, rapid, and sensitive reversed-phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Photodiode Array (HPLC-PDA) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous analysis of fat-soluble vitamins A, D3, and E. The method required a simple sample preparation step of saponification with aqueous KOH and extraction with n-hexane. The method was validated in terms of linearity, accuracy, precision, stability, detection limits, and recovery. The method has the advantage of simultaneous determination of vitamins A, D3, and E in a short run time of 10 min. The method was applied successfully for the determination of vitamins A, D3, and E in some infant formula and milk powder from the Jordanian market. Based on this study, vitamin Content in all brands was within 90.0-410% of the labeled value. Vitamin D3 content in the studied brands was within 100.0-850%, while vitamin E content in all brands was less than 48%. The results showed large variation and discrepancy of most vitamins’ contents, which were not in good agreement with the manufacturer label value, though they were below toxic levels.

A review of vitamin D and its importance to the health of dairy cattle.

This Research Reflection short review will discuss vitamin D metabolism, its role in nutrition, disease prevention, and welfare of dairy cattle, as well as its toxicity. Vitamin D is an important fat-soluble vitamin. However, some researchers regard it as a hormone due to its function in the organism. Its role is not limited just to Ca homoeostasis and bone metabolism but is also associated with immunity. In dairy cattle it is known for preventing milk fever. Cows can acquire vitamin D in many ways for example through feed, parenteral injections or through UVB irradiation from the sun or artificial lighting. The vitamin D in feed can either be plant-/ fungi- based ergocalciferol or animal-based cholecalciferol. There is currently only one registered feed vitamin D supplement for cattle in the European Union and it is cholecalciferol. Animals can also synthesize their own vitamin D when 7-dihydrocholesterol in the skin is irradiated with UVB light resulting in cholecalciferol production. Despite its importance, many cattle are deficient in vitamin D due to inadequate supplementation or insufficient sun exposure. In a study performed at the Veterinary Faculty in Slovenia 12 high producing Holstein Friesian cows at a commercial dairy farm were blood tested for vitamin D status for three succeeding months and all but one were vitamin D insufficient in all testings. The cows were not exposed to direct sunlight and the content of vitamin D3 in feed was <400 IU/kg dry matter, which is less than half of the NRC (2001) recommendation. Deficiency can also occur due to diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract, such as paratuberculosis, which lower the absorptive capacity of the gut. Vitamin D can be toxic if cows are over-supplemented or consume large quantities of plants like Trisetum flavescens, which contain an active form of vitamin D-calcitriol or its glycosides, that are activated by digestion in the rumen.

Mass production of Pleurotus eryngii mycelia under submerged culture conditions with improved minerals and vitamin D2

The study was aimed at the mass production of fungal mycelial biomass of Pleurotus eryngii with enhanced nutritional values through submerged cultivation techniques. Using one factor at a time (OFAT), both physical (Temperature, pH, and RPM) and chemical (carbon sources, nitrogen sources, and C/N ratio) parameters were studied in shake flasks and suitable conditions were selected for the production of the mycelial biomass. The optimized parameters were used for mass production of mushroom mycelia in 100 l fermenter. Further, the harvested mushroom mycelia were exposed to UV-B irradiation. The produced mycelial biomass has an enhanced level of micronutrients (Ca, Co & Fe) and vitamin D2 as compared to its fruiting bodies reported in the literature. The average % composition of ergosterol, protein, crude fat, total ash, moisture, carbohydrate, and crude fiber in dried mycelia was 0.251, 24.52, 6.78, 7.82, 4.86, 18.54 and 55.36 respectively. Vitamin D2 content increased to 320 μg/g from 4.53 μg/g. The mineral composition of Ca, P, K, Mg were 2273.4, 4114.5, 6951.4, and 917.3 μg/g while micro-elements Fe, Zn, Co, and Cu were found to be 79.34, 32.64, 10.09 and 1.12 μg/g respectively in dried mycelia.

Vitamin D3 in High-Quality Cow Milk: An Italian Case Study.

The quality-labeling category of high-quality (HQ) milk defined by the Italian legislation must comply with specific requirements concerning rigorous breeder management, hygienic controls, fat and protein content, bacterial load, somatic cells, lactic acid content, and non-denatured soluble serum proteins. However, there is no specification for the vitamin D content of HQ milk. Moreover, the data on the vitamin D content of this milk category are very scarce. In the present study, the content of vitamin D3 was evaluated in HQ raw and pasteurized cow milk obtained from Italian cowsheds and supermarkets. The vitamin D3 content varied from not detected (less than 1 µg L−1) to 17.0 ± 2.0 µg L−1 milk and was not related to the milk fat content. These results represent a case study including a significant although not exhaustive part of the contemporary Italian market of HQ milk. It was shown for the first time that HQ raw milk does not necessarily contain more vitamin D3, even though non-expert consumers likely to buy milk labeled as HQ could expect it. The vitamin D3 content in HQ pasteurized whole milk should be reported on the label of the milk package as a best practice of consumer information policy.

Serum vitamin D content is associated with semen parameters and serum testosterone levels in men.

The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of serum vitamin D levels on semen quality and testosterone levels. This is a cross-sectional study conducted at Androscience, Science and Innovation Center in Andrology and High-Complex Clinical and Andrology Laboratory in Sao Paulo, Brazil, with 508 male patients, aged 18–60 years, from 2007 to 2017. Seminal parameters and serum sexual hormones were correlated with serum vitamin D concentrations in 260 men selected by strict selection criteria. Patients were divided into normozoospermic group (NZG, n = 124) and a group with seminal abnormalities (SAG, n = 136). Evaluation included complete physical examination, past medical history, habits and lifestyle factors, two complete seminal analysis with sperm functional tests, serum levels of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 (25(OH)VD3), total and free testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), total cholesterol, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, and karyotype. The mean concentration of 25(OH)VD3 was significantly lower in the SAG (P < 0.001) and positively correlated with all baseline seminal parameters and total testosterone levels. In addition, serum vitamin D3 concentration was found to be positively correlated with sperm concentration (β= 2.103; P < 0.001), total number of spermatozoa with progressive motility (β = 2.069; P = 0.003), total number of motile spermatozoa (β = 2.571; P = 0.015), and strict morphology (β = 0.056; P = 0.006), regardless of other variables. This is the first comparative study to address the issue of serum vitamin D3 content between normozoospermic patients and those with sperm abnormalities. It clearly demonstrates a direct and positive relationship between serum vitamin D level and overall semen quality, male reproductive potential, and testosterone levels.

Diets supplemented with Saccharina latissima influence the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism and oxidative stress modulating rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fillet composition

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of diets including increasing amounts (1, 2 and 4%) of an iodine-rich macroalgae, Saccharina latissima, on gene expression and fillet composition of commercial-sized rainbow trout. Liver and muscle expression of genes related to growth, iodine, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism, and the fillet content of fatty acids, cholesterol, and vitamin D3 were assessed. The highest kelp inclusion led to lower final body weight and HSI, without significant differences in mRNA transcription of genes involved in growth (ghr1, ghr2 and igf1) or iodine metabolism (dio1, thra, and thrb). A significant downregulation of an oxidative stress marker, gpx1b2, was observed in fish fed 2% S. latissima, which might suggest the need for less endogenous antioxidants. Dietary inclusion of kelp impacted lipid metabolism, with a downregulation of fatty acid synthase, accompanied by a general decrease of fatty acids in fillet. The present study demonstrated that supplementation of diets with 1 or 2% S. latissima can be achieved without detrimental effects on rainbow trout final weight. Evidence suggest a lipid-lowering effect of diets that did not compromise fillet EPA and DHA concentrations, being 3.7 times above the recommended levels for human consumption.

Microalgae Nannochloropsis oceanica as a future new natural source of vitamin D3

For the last two decades there has been a rise in awareness about the general low dietary intake of vitamin D3. Fish have the highest natural content of vitamin D3, which is suggested to originate from zooplankton and microalgae. However there are no studies reporting which microalgal species may be the source of vitamin D3. In this study, four selected microalgal species were cultivated during exposure of artificial UVB. The effect of UVB dose on the growth and biochemical composition of the cells (vitamin D3, PUFAs and carotenoids) was evaluated. Of the four species, exclusively Nannochloropsis oceanica was able to produce vitamin D3 (up to 1 ± 0.3 µg/g DM), and production was significantly enhanced by increasing the dose of the UVB. These findings suggest that N.oceanica exposed to artificial UVB could be used as a new natural source of vitamin D3, either as direct source or through animal feed.

Effect of vitamin D3 on the immunomodulation of head kidney after Edwardsiella ictaluri challenge in yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)

Edwardsiella ictaluri (E. ictaluri) causes severe infections in yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco), which leads to a massive loss in the aquaculture industry especially in catfish commercial production. Previous studies have confirmed that vitamin D3 is essential in immune regulation in mammals. Based on next-generation sequencing, this study explored the immunomodulatory effects of dietary vitamin D3 on the head kidney of yellow catfish after E. ictaluri challenge. Current results showed that increasing the content of dietary vitamin D3 within the experimental concentration range (1120IU/kg-16600IU/kg) could reduce the mortality of the yellow catfish after E. ictaluri challenge. Results of the next-generation sequencing showed that dietary vitamin D3 regulates the immune mechanism of the head kidney mainly through three pathways i.e. negative regulation of interferon-β production, negative regulation of interleukin-6 production and neutrophil chemotaxis. Proteins HSPA8, MAP4K4 and MRC1 may be involved in vitamin D3-mediated immunoregulation in the head kidney. qPCR results showed that increasing the content of dietary vitamin D3 can improve the immune function of the yellow catfish by down-regulating ifn-β and pro-inflammatory factors tnf-α, il1-β, il-6, il-8 and up-regulating the anti-inflammatory factor il-10. The above results indicated that dietary addition of vitamin D3 regulated the immune response in head kidney of yellow catfish and helped the fish to resist the negative effects of infection by E. ictaluri in a dose-dependent manner.

Vitamin D3 modulates yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) immune function in vivo and in vitro and this involves the vitamin D3/VDR-type I interferon axis

Vitamin D3 (VD3) has been shown to regulate immune function in mammals. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin (1,25(OH)2D3) is the active form of vitamin D3, which is also known as calcitriol. The current study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the innate immune response of yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) after in vivo and in vitro immune challenge. The in vivo results showed that increasing dietary vitamin D3 decreased mortality, enhanced the immune protective rate, and increased serum lysozyme, catalase and SOD activities in yellow catfish infected with Edwardsiella Ictaluri (p < 0.05). The in vitro results showed that 1,25(OH)2D3 (0, 1, 10, 100, 200 pM) dose-dependently attenuated the rate of apoptosis and production or reactive oxygen species and increased the phagocytic activity of head kidney macrophages stimulated with 10 mg/L lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 100 mg/L of Poly(I:C) (p < 0.05). Real-time quantitative PCR results showed that increasing dietary vitamin D3 content in vivo and increasing the level of 1,25(OH)2D3in vitro partially regulated the expression of VD3/VDR-type I interferon axis genes (vdr, irf-3, ifn-a, jak1, stat1, ifi56 and ifp35) after immune challenge. These results indicated that vitamin D3 content helped yellow catfish to resist oxidative stress and inflammation caused by immune challenge, and immunomodulation involved the VD3/VDR-type I interferon action axis.

Vitamin D2 fortification of Calocybe indica mushroom by natural and artificial UVB radiations and their potential effects on nutraceutical properties.

Calocybe indica mushroom was exposed under natural and artificial UVB light to enhance vitamin D2 contents in the fruit bodies. When Kinetic model was designed to examine the rate of conversion of ergosterol into vitamin D2 at different time intervals (0, 15, 45, 60 and 90min), it was found that the conversion was linear with time. The maximum content of vitamin D2, that is 78.33µg/g in sunlight and 140.58µg/g in UVB radiated fruit bodies, was recorded in the samples exposed for 60min. Interestingly, UVB radiations triggered the synthesis of β-glucan from their actual content (22.42-44.36g/100g) and improved the contents of phenols (12.46-47.38mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (0.85-2.15mg Quercetin/g). The estimated antioxidant activities, viz., free radical DPPH scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power was also found to significantly (p < 0.05) increase after 60min of UVB exposure. For DPPH and FRAP, lowest IC50 values obtained was 1.90 and 4.60 respectively, which are suggestive of high antioxidant capacity. Additionally, the paper also describes how UVB rays chemically altered the scores for all seventeen amino acids that were analyzed.

Evaluation of Effectiveness of Ultraviolet Emitting Lamps on the Cutaneous Production of Vitamin D3: Relationship of the Lamps Vitamin D3 Producing Potential to the Production of 8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine and Nitric Oxide.

To assess the effectiveness of three UV emitting lamps on the cutaneous production of vitamin D3, a marker of DNA damage and nitric oxide production in human skin. Human skin samples (skin types II, III and IV) obtained from surgery were exposed to three different UV emitting lamps for varying times and then extracted and chromatographed to determine the vitamin D3 content. The skin samples exposed to the 3 UV emitting lamps were also evaluated for 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (a marker of DNA damage) and nitric oxide production. It was observed that the spectral output of the 3 lamps had different effects on the cutaneous production of vitamin D3, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and nitric oxide production. One lamp demonstrated optimal production of vitamin D3 with the least amount of DNA damage and intermediate production of nitric oxide suggesting that it could be developed into a device for treating vitamin D deficiency. The spectral output of the experimental UVB emitting lamps significantly influenced the cutaneous production of vitamin D3 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and nitric oxide.

Obesity and hypovitaminosis D3 as risk factor for puerperal complications

Aim. To study the puerperal complications in women with disturbance of fat metabolism associated with hypovitaminosis D3.&#x0D; Materials and methods. One hundred and two puerperal women were examined after giving birth to a child at the City Perinatal Center.&#x0D; Results. The number of puerperal complications in the group of women with obesity and hypovitaminosis D occurred twice as more often than in women with normal body mass. From all complications, there prevailed lactostasis and hypogalactia. Only in the group of puerperas with high body mass index and low vitamin D content combined, there were detected subinvolution and puerperal endometriosis.&#x0D; Conclusions. Patients with obesity and low vitamin D3 content need more thorough preparation to delivery and lactation at The Mothers School when they are observed during pregnancy. Personnel of maternity hospital and patients relatives ought to take an active part in puerperal care and promote early activation of puerpera with obesity to reduce possible complications.

Maternal diet affects juvenile Carpetan rock lizard performance and personality.

Differences in both stable and labile state variables are known to affect the emergence and maintenance of consistent interindividual behavioral variation (animal personality or behavioral syndrome), especially when experienced early in life. Variation in environmental conditions experienced by gestating mothers (viz. nongenetic maternal effects) is known to have significant impact on offspring condition and behavior; yet, their effect on behavioral consistency is not clear. Here, by applying an orthogonal experimental design, we aimed to study whether increased vitamin D3 content in maternal diet during gestation (vitamin‐supplemented vs. vitamin control treatments) combined with corticosterone treatment (corticosterone‐treated vs. corticosterone control treatments) applied on freshly hatched juveniles had an effect on individual state and behavioral consistency of juvenile Carpetan rock lizards (Iberolacerta cyreni). We tested the effect of our treatments on (a) climbing speed and the following levels of behavioral variation, (b) strength of animal personality (behavioral repeatability), (c) behavioral type (individual mean behavior), and (d) behavioral predictability (within‐individual behavioral variation unrelated to environmental change). We found higher locomotor performance of juveniles from the vitamin‐supplemented group (42.4% increase), irrespective of corticosterone treatment. While activity personality was present in all treatments, shelter use personality was present only in the vitamin‐supplemented × corticosterone‐treated treatment and risk‐taking personality was present in corticosterone control treatments. Contrary to our expectations, behavioral type was not affected by our treatments, indicating that individual quality can affect behavioral strategies without affecting group‐level mean behavior. Behavioral predictability decreased in individuals with low climbing speed, which could be interpreted as a form of antipredator strategy. Our results clearly demonstrate that maternal diet and corticosterone treatment have the potential to induce or hamper between‐individual variation in different components of boldness, often in interactions.

Effect of high concentrations of dietary vitamin D3 on pullet and laying hen performance, skeleton health, eggshell quality, and yolk vitamin D3 content when fed to W36 laying hens from day of hatch until 68 wk of age

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of various dietary concentrations of vitamin D3 (D3) on pullet and laying hen performance, eggshell quality, bone health, and yolk D3 content from day of hatch until 68 wk of age. Initially, 440 Hy-line W36-day-old chicks were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments: 1,681 (control); 8,348; 18,348; 35,014; 68,348 IU D3/kg. At 17 wk of age, pullets were assigned to experimental diets with 12 replicate groups of 6 birds. At 17 wk of age, pullets fed diets containing 8,348 and 35,014 IU D3/kg had an increased bone mineral density in comparison to the control fed birds (P ≤ 0.01). Body weights of pullets fed the diet with 68,348 IU D3/kg were lower than other treatments (P ≤ 0.01). Hen-housed egg production (HHEP) of hens fed the 35,014 IU D3/kg diet was increased in comparison to control-fed hens (P ≤ 0.01), whereas HHEP of those fed 68,348 IU D3/kg diet was reduced in comparison to all other treatments (P ≤ 0.01). Shell breaking strength of eggs from hens fed 8,348, 35,014 and 68,348 IU D3/kg was increased in comparison to eggs from control-fed birds (P ≤ 0.01). Fat-free tibia ash content of hens fed any of the diets supplemented with D3 (8,348 to 68,348 IU D3/kg) was increased in comparison to control-fed hens (P ≤ 0.05). Yolk D3 content increased linearly with dietary D3 and the D3 transfer efficiency for the control, 8,348 IU, 18,348 IU, 35,014 IU, and 68,348 IU D3 treatments were 8.24, 10.29, 11.27, 12.42, and 12.06%, respectively. These data suggest that supplementation of dietary D3 up to 35,014 IU D3/kg feed maintained if not increased laying hen performance and enhanced pullet and laying hen skeletal quality as well as yolk D3 content and eggshell quality. Feeding pullets at a higher level 68,348 IU of D3 resulted in reduced growth and ultimately decreased performance of laying hens.

Content and variability of vitamin D and iodine in processed egg products in the United States (U.S.)

Iodine and vitamin D deficiencies among specific subpopulations within the U.S. are of concern. Eggs, including processed forms, can be an important dietary source of iodine, vitamin D3, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Processed eggs (dried and frozen liquid forms of whole eggs, yolks, and whites) are used in food manufacturing and foodservice. Samples were obtained from six U.S. processors (up to three production lots per category), to examine analytical iodine and vitamin D values and variability measures. Samples and quality control materials were sent to USDA validated analytical laboratories. Nutrient values were statistically compared after adjusting the values for moisture content, with each nutrient dataset modeled separately using linear mixed models. No significant differences were found for vitamin D3, 25(OH)D3 or iodine content of dried eggs compared to frozen liquid eggs by their whole egg and yolk parts, on a dry weight basis. Updated values and variability data for processed eggs were incorporated into FoodData Central, the U.S. Department of Agriculture food composition database. These data contribute valuable information for estimating U.S. intake amounts of iodine and vitamin D.