Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that has long been known for its important role in regulating body levels of calcium and phosphorus, and in mineralization of bone. More recently, it has become clear that receptors for vitamin D are present in a wide variety of cells, and that this hormone has biologic effects which extend far beyond control of mineral metabolism.

Since Vitamin D is A hormone I WONDER WHAT THE AFFECT IS ON PHERAMONES IN THE FEMALES AND OTHER REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS.
-----
"Life without risk is to merely exist."

I am a firm believer in UV rays for my diurnal monitors and lizards, however I have never used UV on my beadeds and this year my female laid 21 good eggs which I managed to hatch 20. With that said I dont think UV will affect much in the way of egg production with her, the beadeds like snakes eat whole bodied prey animals and obtain D-3 from the livers of the rodents they eat. With lizards that eat primarily insects it is much needed benefit for UV lighting, I am sure by giving gilas and beadeds UV rays is one step closer to their natural environment and Im sure will help them in some way, if nothing else more physiological than anything.
Bob Sutton