Vitamin D3: induction of calcium-binding protein in embryonic chick intestine in vitro.

Induction of the synthesis of calcium-binding protein in chick embryonic intestine maintained in vitro was accomplished by simply adding vitamin D(3) to the culture medium. Accompanying the induction of this protein, there was enhanced radiocalcium uptake by the intestine. These observations represent the first demonstration of an in vitro physiological effect of vitamin D(3) on the calcium absorptive mechanism of the intestine.