1. The metabolism of radioactive cholecalciferol was studied in control and phenobarbitone-treated rats and pigs.
2. Treatment with phenobarbitone enhanced the appearance in plasma of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (peak IV on silicic acid chromatography), and of more-polar metabolites (peak V), but not of the most-polar metabolites (peak VI). Peak IV had the chromatographic properties of authentic 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-HCC) and had biological activity.
3. There was no effect on the appearance of peaks V and VI in plasma after an injection of radioactive 25-HCC.
4. Treatment with phenobarbitone enhanced the excretion of metabolites of radioactive vitamin D3 in bile. These metabolites were largely water-soluble conjugates of peaks IV, V and VI, which included glucuronides. Peak IV in bile was not identical with 25-HCC.
5. Prolonged treatment with phenobarbitone depleted the tissue radioactivity of rats given radioactive vitamin D3.
The biological activity of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, a metabolite of vitamin D3.