Dietary Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Hair Follicle Development and Affects Fatty Acid Metabolism in Rex Rabbits

July 2025 in “ Food Science & Nutrition ”

Xiang Li, Xiaojing Wu, Fuchang Li, Lei Liu

vitamin D hair follicle development fatty acid metabolism Wnt10b/β-catenin Notch SHH IGF1 EGF fatty acid oxidation VD

TLDR Vitamin D supplements improve hair growth and metabolism in rabbits.

The study on 200 Rex rabbits examined the impact of dietary vitamin D (VD) supplementation on hair follicle development and fatty acid metabolism. Rabbits were divided into five groups with varying VD levels (0 to 2800 IU/kg) over 35 days. Results indicated that VD supplementation improved hair follicle development and influenced lipid metabolism, with the optimal VD dose for hair growth and metabolic function being 1400–2100 IU/kg. This dose enhanced hair follicle density and activated signaling pathways like Wnt10b/β-catenin, Notch, SHH, IGF1, and EGF. VD also increased fatty acid oxidation in fat and liver, enhanced uptake in muscle, and inhibited synthesis in fat tissue, highlighting VD's potential benefits for hair and metabolic health.

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