Why is calcium important for reptiles?

What does vitamin D3 do for the body?

Vitamin D3 (See Also Calcium and MBD) Promotes absorption and use of calcium and phosphorus from the intestinal tract for healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D3 aids in calcium homeostasis by facilitating the absorption of calcium. This nutrient can be obtained either from the diet or produced in the skin after exposure to Ultra-Violet Light.

What kind of vitamins do Reptiles need?

Reptiles as Pets. Vitamin D3 (See Also Calcium and MBD) Promotes absorption and use of calcium and phosphorus from the intestinal tract for healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D3 aids in calcium homeostasis by facilitating the absorption of calcium.

What is the function of vitamin D3 in the body?

Vitamin D3 is used for vital functions throughout the body (see Figure 1). It is taken up from the skin into the bloodstream, then carried to the liver, where it is converted into a storage form called 25 (OH)D3. This then re-enters the bloodstream and is carried throughout the body.

How does vitamin D3 aid in calcium homeostasis?

Vitamin D3 aids in calcium homeostasis by facilitating the absorption of calcium. This nutrient can be obtained either from the diet or produced in the skin after exposure to Ultra-Violet Light.

Can reptiles eat too much beta-carotene?

Even if your reptile eats a lot of beta-carotene-rich foods, there is little risk of vitamin A toxicity, since excess beta carotene does not get converted to vitamin A.

What is the function of vitamin D3 in skin?

Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is an important steroid hormone produced in the skin from another molecule, 7-dehydrocholesterol, in the presence of UVB. Its most essential function is to convert the precursor, which has limited chemical activity, into a molecule that easily attaches to the ion calcium.

How important is vitamin D for normal calcium and bone homeostasis?

The findings in these studies underpin the critical role of vitamin D in normal calcium and bone/tooth/growth plate homeostasis. Vitamin D is generally associated not only with improved bone mineralization but also with increased bone resorption, and thus may seem to represent ‘good’ and ‘bad’ effects on bone.

What is the function of carotenoids in reptiles?

It is fat soluble, which means that excess can be stored in a reptile’s fat cells rather than excreted (thus the danger of toxicity). Carotenoids are what the human body uses to make its own vitamin A as needed.

What is phosphorus in reptiles?

Phosphorus is an element that can be found in high levels in animal and insect prey. In order to properly metabolize (or digest) the phosphorus from meal, a reptile needs to have enough calcium in its system — twice as much, to be exact.

Why can’t we eat raw eggs from reptiles?

The raw egg contains the anti-nutritive factor avidin, which binds the biotin in the egg, making it unavailable to the body. In the wild, most eggs consumed by reptiles are already fertile or have been incubated for a period of time, which in turn decreases the avidin content.

Does UV light help reptiles produce calcium?

UV Light Facilitates Calcium Production If you keep reptiles, you have probably learned that they require regular exposure to ultraviolet light (UV), and that UV is essential for the proper use of calcium in the body.

What is the role of vitamin D in the skeletal system?

One of the most important roles of vitamin D is to maintain skeletal calcium balance by promoting calcium absorption in the intestines, promoting bone resorption by increasing osteoclast number, maintaining calcium and phosphate levels for bone formation, and allowing proper functioning of parathyroid hormone to maintain serum calcium levels.

What is the role of vitamin D in homeostasis?

Vitamin D is essential for normal calcium and bone homeostasis as shown by rickets in vitamin D-deficient growing amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Why is vitamin D important for calcium and bone health?

From amphibian onward, vitamin D is essential for normal calcium and bone as shown by rickets in vitamin D-deficient growing amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. In teleostosts, bone remodeling is still absent or minimal and bone is therefore not yet functioning as a calcium reservoir for times of nutritional calcium deficiency.

Do carotenoids play a role in the development of sea urchins?

The role of carotenoids in the development of the sea urchin ( Pseudocentrotus depressus ). Invertebrate Reproduction De velopment, 32: 149-153.

Is a carotenoid-free diet necessary for reproduction of freshwater fish?

Carotenoid-free diet a nd its role in reproduction of freshwater fis h. 8 th International Symposium of Carotenoids, Boston, 27-31 July, 198 8, Abstract of Presentations.

What is the role of carotenoids in aquatic animals?

Various biological and nutritional role of carotenoids in aquatic animals are documented along with the effect of biotic and abiotic factors on carotenoids transport and retention and final flesh pigmentation. Pigmentation is one of the important quality attributes of the aquatic animal for consumer acceptability.

What fish have carotenoids in them?

The most promisin g carotenoids proved to be succe ssful in enhancing color is astaxan thin Cichlids, Gouramis, Goldfish, Koi, Danios and many other species. farmed fish, mainly as pigments to provide adesirab le coloration to these cultured organisms.

What minerals do Reptiles need in captivity?

Calcium and Phosphorus are very important minerals in reptile nutrition, but many captive diets are still not sufficiently balanced to achieve optimal growth and a healthy skeleton. Obesity is a common problem in many reptiles and amphibians kept in captivity.

What is a good calcium to phosphorus ratio for reptiles?

A ratio of 2:1 calcium to phosphorus is desirable in growing reptiles and 1.5:1 for adults. In high egg laying periods, to keep pace with output of calcium into shells 10:1 may be needed.

What is the ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio?

The ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio should be 2:1. Phosphorus and Calcium work closely together. Too much Phosphorus in the diet renders the calcium unusable. However, Phosphorus are very important because it helps filter out waste in the kidneys and is needed for the growth, maintenance, and repair of all tissues and cells.

What is the role of vitamin D in the endocrine system?

The full vitamin D endocrine system (metabolism by specific CYPs, transport by specific plasma protein, a specific NR and a large number of genes regulated by its action) first appeared in fish but its role in overall systemic calcium and bone homeostasis is only evident from amphibian onward.