The biological activity of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and 1,25--dihydroxycholecalciferol for rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).

Dietary 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25-(OH)2D3] showed vitamin D activity in rainbow trout. However, inclusion of dietary cholecalciferol (vitamin D3 or D3), ergocalciferol (vitamin D2 or D2), 25-OH-D3 or 1,25-(OH)2D3 did not result in the presence of detectable levels of vitamin D or 25-OH-D in the blood plasma of the fish. Fish fed the diet devoid of vitamin D over an extended period of time showed symptoms of a droopy-tail or "lordosis-like" syndrome that appeared to be related to muscle weakness since x-ray examination indicated no abnormality in vertebral development. The requirement for vitamin D as cholecalciferol was in excess of 1600 IU/kg diet and may be as high as, or higher than 2400 IU/kg diet.