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Cited by 22Amphibian and Reptile BiologyVitamin D Research StudiesVeterinary Medicine and Surgery

Evaluating the Physiologic Effects of Short Duration Ultraviolet B Radiation Exposure in Leopard Geckos (Eublepharis macularius)

Gould, Amelia, Molitor, Laure, Rockwell, Kelly, Watson, Megan, Mitchell, Mark A.·2018·Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery
DOI 10.5818/17-11-136.1
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Abstract

Ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) is required by many vertebrates to stimulate the photobiochemical synthesis of vitamin D. Vitamin D plays many important roles in the body, including assisting in the absorption of calcium at the level of the intestines. Deficiencies in vitamin D can lead to the development of nutritional disease. Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are naturally nocturnal to crepuscular; therefore, it is not known whether they benefit from UVB radiation. The purpose of this study was to measure 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 concentrations in leopard geckos exposed to short duration UVB light. Twelve adult, male leopard geckos were used for this study. Blood samples were collected from the cranial vena cava to establish baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 concentrations. Once the baseline samples were collected, the animals were randomly divided into two groups. The animals provided UVB radiation were exposed to non-UVB producing light for 12 h and UVB for 2 h, whereas animals in the control group only received non-UVB producing light for 12 h. Exposure to the UVB light occurred for 2 h per day: 1 h at 0600 h and 1 h at 1800 h to mimic dawn and dusk, respectively. An additional blood sample was collected 30 days after the initiation of UVB exposure. There was a significant difference (F = 9.7, P = 0.012) in 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 concentrations between the two groups, with UVB exposed geckos having significantly higher concentrations. The results of this study demonstrate that short duration exposure to UVB light can lead to increased circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 concentrations in leopard geckos.

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Authors
Gould, A., Molitor, L., Rockwell, K., Watson, M., & Mitchell, M. A.
Affiliations
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
  • Louisiana State University (US)
Corresponding author
Mitchell, Mark A.
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery
Publisher
Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV)
Published
2018
Volume
28
Issue
1-2
Pages
34-39
ISSN
1529-9651 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.5818/17-11-136.1
OpenAlex
W2783897787
Cited by
22
References
0
Citations by year
2025: 4 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2
FWCI
1.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Amphibian and Reptile Biology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Vitamin D Research Studies
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
Keywords
UV-B radiation, leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, vitamin D synthesis, photobiology, reptile nutrition, calcium absorption

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