TLDR Vitamin D receptor knockout mice have significant motor impairments but no cognitive deficits.
The study aimed to behaviorally characterize Vitamin D receptor (VDR) knockout mice. VDR −/− mice exhibited alopecia, were shorter and lighter than wildtype controls, and showed impairments in motor coordination, reduced stride length, and decreased locomotion. They also had reduced habituation in the open field, less marble burying, and impaired prepulse inhibition (PPI) at long intervals. However, there were no significant differences in anxiety-related behaviors or working memory. The findings suggested that VDR −/− mice had notable muscular and motor impairments but no cognitive deficits.
115 citations
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December 2001 in “Endocrinology” Expressing the human vitamin D receptor in skin cells prevents hair loss in certain mice.
29 citations
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February 2010 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology” Vitamin D receptor is crucial for healthy hair growth and preventing hair loss.
151 citations
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June 2010 in “Endocrinology and metabolism clinics of North America” Two rare genetic diseases cause severe rickets in children due to defects in vitamin D metabolism.
114 citations
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June 2000 in “Endocrinology” Alopecia in VDR knockout mice is due to a defect in hair cycle initiation, not keratinocyte issues.
29 citations
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June 2000 in “Endocrinology” Alopecia in VDR knockout mice is due to impaired hair cycle initiation, not keratinocyte issues.
137 citations
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April 2001 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation” Alopecia in these mice is caused by defective hair cycle communication due to missing vitamin D receptor function, not vitamin D levels.
