EFFECT OF VARIOUS VITAMIN-D METABOLITES ON SERUM-CALCIUM AND INORGANIC-PHOSPHATE IN THE FRESH-WATER SNAKE NATRIX PISCATOR

Vitamin D-3 (650 pmol and 6.50 nmol/100 g body wt), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (650 pmol and 6.50 nmol/100 g body wt), and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (65 pmol and 650 pmol/100 g body wt) were administered daily to the freshwater snake Natrix piscator for 15 days. Both serum calcium and inorganic phosphate levels were increased significantly in all of the treated groups. This is the first report of hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia in reptiles induced by 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.