Manifestations of vitamin D deficiency in chicks reared under different artificial lighting regimes

Publication Type:
 Journal Article
Year of Publication:
 1989
Authors:
 Joni B. Bernard, Bruce E. Watkins, Duane E. Ullrey
Publication/Journal:
 Zoo Biology
Publisher:
 A Wiley Company, Inc., Wiley Subscription Services
Keywords:
 , ,
ISBN:
 1098-2361
Abstract:

Abstract 10.1002/zoo.1430080405.abs A problem observed with zoo animals that normally do not consume vitamin D-containing foods and that are not exposed to natural sunlight is a deficiency of vitamin D. This study was conducted to determine whether the amount of ultraviolet light emitted by certain commercially available lights is sufficient to promote vitamin D3 synthesis as indicated by weight gain and various measures of skeletal calcification. Seventy-four, day-old male leghorn chicks were randomly assigned to six treatment groups for a 6-week trial. All groups were exposed to a cool white fluorescent light. In addition, group 1 was supplemented with 400 IU of vitamin D3/kg diet, group 2 was supplemented with 100 IU of vitamin D3/kg diet, group 3 served as the negative control, group 4 was exposed to a Vita-Lite for 12 hr per day, group 5 was exposed to a Sylvania sun lamp for 15 min twice daily, and group 6 was exposed to a Sylvania black light for 15 min twice daily. Groups 3 through 6 were not provided with dietary supplements of vitamin D3. At termination of the experiment, groups 1, 2, and 5 all showed healthy beaks and ribs, the highest weight gain, and greatest percentage of bone ash. Group 4, in contrast, had the poorest calcification and lowest bone ash. This finding indicates that supplemental artificial lighting does affect vitamin D3synthesis in chicks and presumably in other species but that certain lights that were presumed to be appropriate for this purpose proved to be unsuitable under the conditions of this study.

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