The relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone concentration in assessing vitamin D deficiency in pet rabbits

Abstract

Background Vitamin D deficiency and related metabolic bone diseases in pet rabbits have been intermittently debated. In human research, the parathyroid hormone concentration in relation to the 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration is used to determine vitamin D deficiency. Thus, this study aimed to identify the breakpoint in the 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration indicating a significant change in the parathyroid hormone concentration in 139 pet rabbits. An enzyme immunoassay kit was used for 25-hydroxyvitamin D analysis and the intact parathyroid hormone (PTH 1–84) immunoradiometric assay kit for parathyroid hormone analysis. The mid-tibial cortical bone density was measured using peripheral quantitative computed tomography. A segmented linear regression analysis was performed, with the 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration as the independent variable, and parathyroid hormone, ionised calcium, total calcium, inorganic phosphorus concentrations and the mid-tibial cortical density as the dependent variables. Results The breakpoint for the parathyroid hormone concentration occurred at a 25(OH)D concentration of 17 ng/mL, whereas the cortical bone density breakpoint occurred at a 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration of 19 ng/mL. No breakpoints were found for ionised calcium, total calcium or phosphorus. Conclusions These results suggest that a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration of 17 ng/mL serves as the threshold for vitamin D deficiency in rabbits. Nearly one-third of the rabbits had a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration below this threshold. Concerns persist regarding the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pet rabbits and the possible health consequences caused by a chronic vitamin D deficiency, including the risk for metabolic bone diseases.

Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in southern Finland

“…Previously, 25(OH)D concentration of 17 ng/mL was suggested as a threshold for vitamin D deficiency in rabbits [ 11 ]. Using this benchmark, all wild rabbits in our study appeared to have severe vitamin D deficiency.…”

“…A recent study reported that one-third of pet rabbits had serum 25(OH)D below the suggested vitamin D deficiency threshold of 17 ng/ml [ 11 ]. The main vitamin D source of pet rabbits was the diet, and outdoor access was not associated with the 25(OH)D concentrations [ 12 ].…”

Vitamin D deficiency contributes to the diabetic kidney disease progression via increased ZEB1/ZEB2 expressions

“…Studies before ours have also demonstrated that VitD de ciency increases glomerulosclerosis and relative interstitial area, and impairs renal function in the progression to CKD after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and in the 5/6 nephrectomized rats [28,36]. Studies suggest that these alterations occur due to a lower VDR modulation [37], local overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) [22,31,38] and/or secondary factors such as elevated PTH levels in VitD de ciency [39]. However, the mechanisms by which VitD de ciency contributes to the worsening of these changes, mainly in DKD, should be further explored.…”

Serum Fibroblast Growth Factors 23, Chemerin, and Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Psoriasis

“…Furthermore, the 25(OH)D concentration, which begins to climb or no longer falls as the PTH concentration lowers, may indicate Vitamin D inadequacy. [19] PTH is elevated when calcium levels are low, or phosphate levels are high. High levels of parathyroid hormone damage bones and cause phosphate and calcium levels in the bones to fluctuate.…”