Effects of gestation and lactation on vitamin D receptor amounts in goats and sheep.

During gestation and lactation, an increased demand for calcium (Ca) due to the development of fetal skeleton and excretion via milk is observed. The higher need for Ca is met by an augmented mobilisation of Ca from bones and by an increased absorption from the intestines. The main influence on this physiological process of active absorption has Vitamin D, acting through Vitamin D receptors (VDR) located in the mucosal wall of the intestines, thus increasing Ca absorption. As a consequence of inadequate Ca absorption, metabolic diseases like milk fever can develop. In this study immunohistochemical procedures were applied to colon mucosa biopsies of pregnant and lactating goats and sheep, to study the effect of late gestation, parturition and lactation on VDR amount. Colon mucosa biopsies were collected 2 weeks before parturition, 1 and 4 weeks post partum (pp), 2, 3, 4, and 5 months pp from 11 dairy goats and 11 sheep. Immunohistochemistry was performed employing a biotinylated monoclonal rat anti-VDR antibody and streptavidin peroxidase techniques. Nuclei and cytoplasm of enterocytes stained positively for VDRs. Strongest immunoreactions were observed in intermediate and superficial glandular cells. The biopsy samples taken during early lactation revealed a lower immunoreaction for VDR compared with samples taken during later stages of lactation. In conclusion, immunochemistry and biopsy technology are useful tools to assess changes in VDR expression in relation to varying demands for Ca in the process of a reproductive cycle. These results show that in dairy goats and sheep, an influence of gestation and lactation on VDR is obvious.