Vitamin D₃Metabolism in Immature Japanese Quail: Effects of Ovarian Hormones¹

Abstract

The possible influence of exogenous estradiol and progesterone injection on in vitro renal metabolism of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 was investigated in immature (4 weeks old) female and male Japanese quail. Estradiol benzoate was injected (3 mg/kg) for 3 consecutive days in 1 female and 1 male group (5 birds/group). One female and 1 male control group received corn oil only. Progesterone (5 mg/kg) and oil were injected similarly in 4 groups of quail. All injections were given im. Birds were placed on normal calcium diet (2.3 to 3.3% Ca) during the treatment period. On the fourth day kidneys were incubated with [3H]- 25-(OH)D3 substrate for 20 min. Separation of the vitamin D3 metabolites was done using Sephadex LH-20 and chloroform: Skellysolve B (65:35) solvent system. Heparinized plasma was analyzed for calcium and phosphate. Oviduct, testis and defatted, dried femur weights were recorded. Both females and males treated with estradiol had significantly (P < 0.01) increased production of 1,25- dihydroxyvitamin...