Decreased Vitamin D Levels and Altered Placental Vitamin D Gene Expression at High Altitude: Role of Genetic Ancestry.

ABSTRACT: High-altitude hypoxia challenges reproduction; particularly in non-native populations. Although high-altitude residence is associated with vitamin D deficiency, the homeostasis and metabolism of vitamin D in natives and migrants remain unknown. We report that high altitude (3600 m residence) negatively impacted vitamin D levels, with the high-altitude Andeans having the lowest 25-OH-D levels and the high-altitude Europeans having the lowest 1α,25-(OH)₂-D levels. There was a significant interaction of genetic ancestry with altitude in the ratio of 1α,25-(OH)₂-D to 25-OH-D; with the ratio being significantly lower in Europeans compared to Andeans living at high altitude. Placental gene expression accounted for as much as 50% of circulating vitamin D levels, with CYP2

SUBMITTER: Mata-Greenwood E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9967090 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature