An examination of the importance of 24-hydroxylation to the function of vitamin D during early development.

To investigate the biological importance of 24R-hydroxylation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D to the early development of rats, the potency of 24,24-difluoro-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 had been compared to that of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in young rat pups born to vitamin D-deficient mothers. 24,24-Difluoro-25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 were equally active in stimulating active calcium transport in the intestine, maintaining normal concentrations of calcium and phosphorus in the plasma and promoting bone growth and mineralization. These results provide strong evidence that the presence of a hydroxyl group at the 24 position of vitamin D3 is not required for the maintenance of calcium-phosphate homeostasis during growth and in the development and mineralization of bone.