Rickets in sheep flocks in northern England

Mearns, Rebecca; Scholes, S. F. E.; Wessels, Mark; Whitaker, Kara M.; Strugnell, Ben

doi:10.1136/vr.162.3.98

Cited by 12 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The sheep serum concentrations of 25(OH)D 3 in this study indicate the extent to which vitamin D has been obtained via endogenous photobiosynthesis, since they did not receive any supplementary foodstuffs which contained vitamin D 3 , for at least 5 months prior to blood sampling. Lleyn ewes had significantly higher 25(OH)D 3 concentrations, therefore the black heads and legs of the Blackface ewes might have compromised vitamin D 3 photobiosynthesis in those black hair covered areas that are contiguous with dark skin pigmentation 34 . The efficiency of the conversion of 7-Dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D 3 in Scottish Blackface ewes might be compromised because melanin in the pigmented skin competes with 7-Dehydrocholesterol for ultraviolet B photons 35 , although the face and limbs might not be the main sites for vitamin D photobiosynthesis in sheep 8 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of relationship between vitamin D status and reproductive fitness in Scottish hill sheep

Zhou

McEvoy

Gill

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

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There is a growing interest in the influence of vitamin D on ovine non-skeletal health. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between pre-mating vitamin D status, as assessed by serum concentrations of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D; comprising D2 and D3] and subsequent reproductive performance of genetically unimproved Scottish Blackface (UBF), genetically improved Scottish Blackface (IBF) and Lleyn ewes kept under Scottish hill conditions. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D2 (25(OH)D2) and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) concentrations were determined in serum samples harvested in November from ewes grazed outdoors. There were no significant differences in 25(OH)D2concentrations amongst the 3 genotypes. Lleyn ewes had significantly higher 25(OH)D3 and 25(OH)D concentrations than both Scottish Blackface ewe genotypes, whereas these vitamin D parameters did not differ significantly between the UBF and IBF ewes. Concentrations of 25(OH)D3 and 25(OH)D were positively associated with subsequent birth weights of singleton and of twin lamb litters. No significant associations between vitamin D status and number of lambs born or weaned per ewe were found. This study demonstrates that concentrations of cutaneously-derived 25(OH)D3, but not of orally consumed 25(OH)D2, differed between breeds. The positive association between ewe vitamin D status and offspring birth weight highlights the need for further investigations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of relationship between vitamin D status and reproductive fitness in Scottish hill sheep

Zhou

McEvoy

Gill

et al. 2019

Sci Rep

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“…So Glaswegians may get about the same annual dose of UVB as Inuit people living in the Arctic, but lack the advantages of their marine diet, which is naturally high in vitamin D. Telling evidence demonstrating Britain's low-sunlight climate comes from its sheep. In northern England and Scotland sheep, which remain outdoors all year round, have been found to suffer from rickets characterized by low levels of 25(OH)D. Farmers have been advised to treat the sheep with vitamin D supplements [50].…”

Section: Why the British Isles Get So Little Sunmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sunlight robbery: A critique of public health policy on vitamin D in the UK

Gillie

2010

Molecular Nutrition Food Res

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The British Isles have a very cloudy climate and as a result receive fewer hours of clear sunlight than most other industrial regions. The majority of people in these islands have low blood levels of vitamin D [25(OH)D] all year round. Few food products are fortified with vitamin D in the UK and the government does not recommend any vitamin D supplement for most adults in the UK. Diseases associated with vitamin D insufficiency such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes (types 1 and 2) and multiple sclerosis are more frequent in the UK, and particularly in Scotland, than in many other European countries and some, such as multiple sclerosis and diabetes (types 1 and 2), are increasing in incidence. Present knowledge suggests that the risk of some chronic diseases could be reduced if vitamin D intake or sun exposure of the population were increased. Yet policy and public health recommendations of the UK government and its agencies (e.g. the Health Protection Agency, the Food Standards Agency) and of Cancer Research UK have failed to take full account of established and putative benefits of vitamin D and/or sunshine. The epidemic of chronic disease in the UK, which is associated with and caused at least in part by vitamin D insufficiency, has not been adequately recognized by these agencies, and too often measures taken by them have been misguided, inappropriate or ineffective.

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“…57 Such feeds also have high concentrations of carotenes; however, cereal crops may be more rachitogenic because of the higher availability of carotene. 74 Naturally occurring rickets is also uncommon in sheep in the United Kingdom, 16,55,142,150 but outbreaks associated with high latitude, low sunshine hours, and poor-quality pasture low in phosphorus have occurred in Scotland. 16,150 In Ireland, rickets has occurred in sheep fed oats in winter months and, in northern England, in sheep grazing lush ryegrass swards over winter, most likely because of the rachitogenic effect of carotenes.…”

Section: Sheep and Goatsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…16,150 In Ireland, rickets has occurred in sheep fed oats in winter months and, in northern England, in sheep grazing lush ryegrass swards over winter, most likely because of the rachitogenic effect of carotenes. 37,142 Clinical signs of rickets in sheep include stiff gait, lameness, enlarged joints (particularly, the radiocarpal), bowed or bent legs, and loss of condition or poor weight gain. 16,37,48,56,60,150,210 Rickets is most commonly seen in recently weaned animals because of the rapid growth at this age and their dependence on pasture or crops.…”

Section: Sheep and Goatsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitamin D Metabolism and Rickets in Domestic Animals

2010

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Rickets and osteomalacia are increasing in prevalence in people because of cultural practices, breast-feeding, decreased sun exposure, and increased sunscreen usage. Several hereditary forms of rickets owing to either renal phosphate wasting or defects in vitamin D metabolism are also reported in people. Rickets is well recognized in domestic animals, but published reports are not always supported by microscopic findings, and diagnoses based on clinical signs and radiology are unreliable. Most cases in domestic animals are caused by dietary deficiency of either vitamin D or phosphorus, but occasional inherited forms are reported in pigs, sheep, cats, and dogs. There is variation between species in susceptibility to dietary vitamin D and phosphorus deficiency and in the ability to manufacture vitamin D in their skin. A number of mouse models have been discovered or created to study human skeletal diseases and skeletal homeostasis. With the discovery that vitamin D is involved in not only calcium and phosphorus homeostasis but also in the immune system and cancer, there is great potential for new and existing animal models to generate valuable information about vitamin D and its many functions. This review presents an overview of vitamin D metabolism and rickets in domestic and laboratory animals and makes comparisons where appropriate with the disease in humans. Keywords bone, rickets, vitamin D, phosphorus, genetic diseasesRickets is a classic metabolic bone disease of humans and animals, first described in the first and second centuries. 158,165 With the discovery that vitamin D could prevent rickets, the prevalence of this disease in developed countries plummeted; however, it still occurs. In fact, the prevalence of rickets and vitamin D insufficiency is increasing in people of all ages in the developed world, due in part to decreased sunlight exposure and widespread sunscreen usage. 88 The disease is well recognized in animals, but published reports are uncommon and sometimes confusing.The pathogenesis of rickets involves impaired mineralization of physeal and epiphyseal cartilage during endochondral ossification and of newly formed osteoid. Most cases in domestic animals are caused by dietary deficiency of either vitamin D or phosphorus, but occasional inherited forms are reported. 109,200 Osteomalacia is caused by a failure of newly formed osteoid to mineralize, but it occurs in adults after closure of growth plates. 109In this article, we review vitamin D metabolism and rickets, with reference to the disease in domestic animals but presenting comparison with the disease in humans where appropriate. Biology of Vitamin D Activation of Vitamin DVitamin D is available from two sources: isomerization of 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) in the skin to vitamin D 3 following exposure to ultraviolet light or from ingestion of vitamin D 2 or D 3 in the diet. Only a few foods, including cod liver oil and fatty fish such as salmon and sardines, naturally contain high concentrations of vitamin D 3 .49 Vitamin D 2 i...

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Rickets in sheep flocks in northern England

Cited by 12 publications

References 5 publications

Investigation of relationship between vitamin D status and reproductive fitness in Scottish hill sheep

Investigation of relationship between vitamin D status and reproductive fitness in Scottish hill sheep

Sunlight robbery: A critique of public health policy on vitamin D in the UK

Vitamin D Metabolism and Rickets in Domestic Animals

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