Effect of short-term UVB exposure on vitamin D concentration of eggs and vitamin D status of laying hens.

Vitamin D deficiency in humans is widespread, and only a few food items are important natural sources of vitamin D. This study investigated the effect of UVB exposure of laying hens on the vitamin D content in egg yolk. In a two-factorial design, hens fed a vitamin D-deficient (−D) or -adequate (+D) diet were nonexposed or exposed to UVB light over a period of 4 weeks. UVB exposure of the −D group caused nearly normal egg production rate and egg shell quality; exposure of the +D group did not further improve these parameters. UVB exposure tended to improve the concentration of plasma 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D3), but had no effect on 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in plasma or on cholecalciferol and 25(OH)D3 in egg yolk. The present study shows that a short-term exposure of laying hens to UVB light is not an appropriate way to improve the vitamin D content of egg yolk.