The effects of age, sex, breed, diet, reproductive status and housing condition on the amounts of 25(OH) vitamin D in the serum of healthy dogs: Reference values

Abstract

Background: Optimal amount of vitamin D for the proper functioning of the immune system is different from the required vitamin D amount for bones to prevent rickets. However, reports on vitamin D reference values in dogs are minimal, and there is still not enough information regarding the relationship between vitamin D and various variables such as disease, age, breed, diet type, and so on, as well as its relationship with haematological and serum biochemical parameters. Obgectives: The present study aimed to determine reference values of 25(OH) Vit D in dogs and its concentration in different groups, categorized based on age, sex, breed, housing conditions, and diet, as well as 25(OH) Vit D relationship with hematology and serum biochemistry parameters. Methods: In this study, 90 healthy dogs were selected to determine the reference value of 25 (OH) Vit D of serum after evaluating of their haematological and biochemical parameters to assess their general health. Dogs were divided into different groups according to above-mentioned variables. Serum 25 (OH) Vit D was subsequently measured by the ELISA method. Results: The median concentration of 25 (OH) Vit D was 52.50 ng/ml with minimum and maximum amounts of 14.00 and 155.57 ng/ml, respectively. No significant difference was observed between 25 (OH) Vit D levels in the studied dogs regarding their different age, sex, breed, diet, housing condition, and reproductive status. Serum 25 (OH) Vit D concentration is directly correlated with the number of band neutrophils (p < 0.05). We also witnessed indirect correlations between serum 25 (OH) Vit D levels and the number of blood eosinophils and serum glucose (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In the present study age, sex, breed, housing condition and age had no significant effects on the amounts of 25(OH) vitamin D. According to correlations of vitamin D with MCH, band and eosinophil numbers and glucose, vitamin D may have a role in erythropoiesis and leukocytes response and also in energy metabolism in dog.