Vitamin D Dynamics in Aquatic Organisms

Vitamin D in aquatic animals encompasses a suite of fat-soluble secosteroids that regulate mineral homeostasis, skeletal development and immune function. In fish and crustaceans, vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is acquired solely through diet or endogenous conversion of precursors, as dermal synthesis is limited by water-borne ultraviolet light penetration. Following absorption, cholecalciferol undergoes hepatic hydroxylation to form 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, the principal circulating metabolite, and further renal or extrarenal conversion to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol), the biologically active hormone. Calcitriol acts via intracellular vitamin D receptors to modulate expression of genes involved in calcium and phosphorus uptake, bone matrix deposition and mucosal immunity. Environmental factors such as water turbidity, salinity and dietary composition strongly influence vitamin D bioavailability. Deficiency can lead to impaired ossification, skeletal anomalies and weakened immune barriers, with direct repercussions for wild populations and aquaculture productivity. Conversely, optimal dietary levels enhance growth performance, antioxidant capacity and resistance to pathogens. Recent work highlights species-specific differences in receptor affinity and metabolic pathways among teleosts and decapods, underscoring the need for tailored nutritional regimes. Understanding vitamin D dynamics thus provides a foundation for sustainable management of aquatic resources and the development of functional feeds to bolster health and resilience across diverse aquatic ecosystems.

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Vitamin D Dynamics in Aquatic Organisms publication trend

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Technical terms

Secosteroid: A steroid derivative in which one of the steroid rings is cleaved, characteristic of vitamin D compounds.

Cholecalciferol: The form of vitamin D3 obtained from dietary sources, precursor to active metabolites.

25-Hydroxyvitamin D3: The main circulating form of vitamin D, produced by hepatic hydroxylation of cholecalciferol.

Calcitriol: The hormonally active form of vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) that binds to cell receptors.

Vitamin D receptor: A nuclear receptor that mediates the genomic actions of calcitriol by regulating target gene transcription.

References

1. Vitamin D Promotes Mucosal Barrier System of Fish Skin Infected with Aeromonas hydrophila through Multiple Modulation of Physical and Immune Protective Capacity. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
2. Effects of dietary 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 on growth, calcium-phosphorus metabolism, lipid metabolism and immunity of Litopenaeus vannamei at low salinity. Aquaculture Reports (2024).
3. Effects of dietary vitamin D3 levels on survival, mineralization, and skeletal development of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) larvae. Aquaculture (2022).