An investigation of the toxicity of 1alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol to calves.

Two calves were treated with 15 micrograms/kg body weight of 1alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol by intramuscular injection on four occasions at seven-day intervals. Anorexia and reduced water consumption persisted for 48 h after each treatment. No clinical signs of iridocyclitis or any other lesions of the eyes were present at any time either macroscopically or microscopically. After the first treatment serum GOT and GD activities increased, serum AP activity fell, serum concentrations of calcium and inorganic phosphate increased, and magnesium concentrations decreased. The reduced serum magnesium concentrations and increased calcium and inorganic phosphate concentrations were maintained for the duration of the experiment, but there was no evidence of a cumulative effect of successive treatments. Blood urea concentrations increased after the third treatment. The gross pathology at post mortem examination was similar to that reported after vitamin D3 supplementation.