Normal egg hatchability requires the simultaneous administration to the hen of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and 24R,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. 1983

A W Norman, and V Leathers, and J E Bishop

A previous report [Science 201, 835-837 (1978)] presented evidence that the combined and simultaneous administration of the cholecalciferol (D3) metabolites 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1 alpha,25(OH)2D3] and 24R,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [24R,25(OH)2D3] to White Leghorn hens was necessary for embryo development and normal egg hatchability; in the absence of 24R,25(OH)2D3 none of the fertile eggs hatched. The present study extends this fundamental observation to a second species, the Japanese quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica and compares the biological actions of the two stereoisomers of the 24,25(OH)2 metabolite, namely the naturally occurring 24R,25(OH)2D3 and its unnatural epimer 24S,25(OH)2D3. Groups of 12-14 vitamin D-depleted adult female Japanese quail were mated with normal male quail and eight consecutive batches of eggs (25-41 eggs from each group) were placed in an egg incubator, and egg hatchability for the fertile eggs monitored on days 21 and 22. The egg hatchability (in percent +/- SD) for each group was: D3 (56.5% +/- 12.8); 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 (1.3% +/- 2.5); 24R,25(OH)2D3 (29.6% +/- 3.1); 24R25(OH)2D3 + 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 (32.8%); and 24S,25(OH)2D3 + 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 (7.2%). Also for all treatment groups the blood level of the expected vitamin D metabolites were in the normal range, and there were no significant differences in the embryo weights and eggshell thickness (of both hatched and unhatched eggs). These results indicate that the Japanese quail have the inherent capability to discriminate between the stereoisomers of 24,25(OH)2D3 and therefore strongly support the concept that only the naturally occurring 24R,25(OH)2D3 has an identifiable, unique biological role which is different from that of 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D010063 Ovum A mature haploid female germ cell extruded from the OVARY at OVULATION. Egg,Egg, Unfertilized,Ova,Eggs, Unfertilized,Unfertilized Egg,Unfertilized Eggs
D011784 Quail Common name for two distinct groups of BIRDS in the order GALLIFORMES: the New World or American quails of the family Odontophoridae and the Old World quails in the genus COTURNIX, family Phasianidae. Quails
D002117 Calcitriol The physiologically active form of vitamin D. It is formed primarily in the kidney by enzymatic hydroxylation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (CALCIFEDIOL). Its production is stimulated by low blood calcium levels and parathyroid hormone. Calcitriol increases intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus, and in concert with parathyroid hormone increases bone resorption. 1 alpha,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol,1 alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3,1, 25-(OH)2D3,1,25(OH)2D3,1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol,1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3,1 alpha, 25-dihydroxy-20-epi-Vitamin D3,1,25(OH)2-20epi-D3,1,25-dihydroxy-20-epi-Vitamin D3,20-epi-1alpha,25-dihydroxycholecaliferol,Bocatriol,Calcijex,Calcitriol KyraMed,Calcitriol-Nefro,Decostriol,MC-1288,MC1288,Osteotriol,Renatriol,Rocaltrol,Silkis,Sitriol,Soltriol,Tirocal,1 alpha,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D3,1,25 Dihydroxycholecalciferol,1,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D3,1,25 dihydroxy 20 epi Vitamin D3,Calcitriol Nefro,D3, 1 alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin,D3, 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin,D3, 1,25-dihydroxy-20-epi-Vitamin,KyraMed, Calcitriol,MC 1288
D003370 Coturnix A genus of BIRDS in the family Phasianidae, order GALLIFORMES, containing the common European and other Old World QUAIL. Japanese Quail,Coturnix japonica,Japanese Quails,Quail, Japanese,Quails, Japanese
D004100 Dihydroxycholecalciferols Cholecalciferols substituted with two hydroxy groups in any position. Dihydroxyvitamins D
D004528 Egg Shell A hard or leathery calciferous exterior covering of an egg. Eggshell,Egg Shells,Eggshells,Shell, Egg,Shells, Egg
D004625 Embryo, Nonmammalian The developmental entity of a fertilized egg (ZYGOTE) in animal species other than MAMMALS. For chickens, use CHICK EMBRYO. Embryonic Structures, Nonmammalian,Embryo, Non-Mammalian,Embryonic Structures, Non-Mammalian,Nonmammalian Embryo,Nonmammalian Embryo Structures,Nonmammalian Embryonic Structures,Embryo Structure, Nonmammalian,Embryo Structures, Nonmammalian,Embryo, Non Mammalian,Embryonic Structure, Non-Mammalian,Embryonic Structure, Nonmammalian,Embryonic Structures, Non Mammalian,Embryos, Non-Mammalian,Embryos, Nonmammalian,Non-Mammalian Embryo,Non-Mammalian Embryonic Structure,Non-Mammalian Embryonic Structures,Non-Mammalian Embryos,Nonmammalian Embryo Structure,Nonmammalian Embryonic Structure,Nonmammalian Embryos,Structure, Non-Mammalian Embryonic,Structure, Nonmammalian Embryo,Structure, Nonmammalian Embryonic,Structures, Non-Mammalian Embryonic,Structures, Nonmammalian Embryo,Structures, Nonmammalian Embryonic
D005260 Female Females
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia

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