Figure 1
Vitamin D3 supplementation and sunlight exposure increases 25OHD circulating levels in calves. Ctl-In (n = 11) and VitD-In (n = 12) groups were kept indoors and fed with 6000 IU/kg in MR + 2000 IU/kg of Vit D3 in ration; or 10,000 IU/kg in MR + 4000 IU/kg of Vit D3 in ration, respectively. Whereas Ctl-Out (n = 11) and VitD-Out (n = 10) groups were move outdoors after weaning and fed with 6000 IU/kg in MR + 2000 IU/kg of Vit D3 in ration; or 10,000 IU/kg in MR + 4000 IU/kg of Vit D3 in ration, respectively. All calves received a single time injection of 50,000 IU of Vit D3 at T1, except Ctl-In, which received a vehicle injection with ethanol. Serum samples were taken at the beginning of the trial (T1), after 15 days (T2) and at 30, 70, 90, 130, 160, 200 and 230 days after T1 (T3-T9). Data represent mean and standard error of serum 25OHD profile in calves for each time point within each group. The main effect of sunlight and treatment was significant (p < 0.05) at T6, T7 and T9. Red dotted line shows the recommended 25OHD serum level of 30 ng/ml. Brown arrow shows the time where Ctl-Out and VitD-Out groups were moved outside. Right Y-axis represent the solar radiation during the time points where 25OHD concentrations were analysed.
