Ergocalciferol

Type of vitamin D found in food and used as a dietary supplement.

- Ergocalciferol

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Vitamin D

Group of fat-soluble secosteroids responsible for increasing intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate, and many other biological effects.

Calcium regulation in the human body. The role of active vitamin D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, calcitriol) is shown in orange.

Global vitamin D serum levels among adults (nmol/L).

The photochemistry of vitamin D biosynthesis in animal and fungi

Thermal isomerization of previtaminD3 to vitamin D3

In the epidermal strata of the skin, vitamin D production is greatest in the stratum basale (colored red in the illustration) and stratum spinosum (colored light brown).

Liver hydroxylation of cholecalciferol to calcifediol

Kidney hydroxylation of calcifediol to calcitriol

In humans, the most important compounds in this group are vitamin D3 (also known as cholecalciferol) and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol).

Ergosterol

Sterol found in cell membranes of fungi and protozoa, serving many of the same functions that cholesterol serves in animal cells.

The gonane skeleton, with the IUPAC recommended numbering of the carbon atoms

In human nutrition, ergosterol is a provitamin form of vitamin D2; exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light causes a chemical reaction that produces vitamin D2.

Shiitake

Edible mushroom native to East Asia, which is now cultivated and consumed around the globe.

Fresh shiitake mushroom in the vegetable market at Hong Kong

Korean pyogo-bokkeum (stir-fried shiitake mushroom)

Japanese ekiben {{nihongo||椎茸めし|shiitake-meshi}}

Lentinan, a beta-glucan isolated from the shiitake mushroom

Like all mushrooms, shiitakes produce vitamin D2 upon exposure of their internal ergosterol to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from sunlight or broadband UVB fluorescent tubes.

Cholecalciferol

Type of vitamin D that is made by the skin when exposed to sunlight; it is found in some foods and can be taken as a dietary supplement.

There are conflicting reports concerning the relative effectiveness of cholecalciferol (D3) versus ergocalciferol (D2), with some studies suggesting less efficacy of D2, and others showing no difference.

Vitamin D deficiency

Defined as a vitamin D level that is below normal.

The normal process of Vitamin D absorption

Since vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) are fat-soluble, humans and other animals with a skeleton need to store some fat.

Steroid

Biologically active organic compound with four rings arranged in a specific molecular configuration.

Gonane, the simplest steroid, consisting only of the common steroid nucleus

Cholecalciferol (vitamin D), an example of a 9,10-secosteroid

Cyclopamine, an example of a complex C-nor-D-homosteroid

Simplification of the end of the steroid synthesis pathway, where the intermediates isopentenyl pyrophosphate (PP or IPP) and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) form geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP), squalene and lanosterol (the first steroid in the pathway)

Human steroidogenesis, with the major classes of steroid hormones, individual steroids and enzymatic pathways. Changes in molecular structure from a precursor are highlighted in white.

alt=Chemical diagram|Testosterone, the principal male sex hormone and an anabolic steroid

alt=Chemical diagram|Cholic acid, a bile acid, showing the carboxylic acid and additional hydroxyl groups often present

alt=Chemical diagram|Dexamethasone, a synthetic corticosteroid drug

alt=Chemical diagram|Lanosterol, the biosynthetic precursor to animal steroids. The number of carbons (30) indicates its triterpenoid classification.

alt=Chemical diagram|Progesterone, a steroid hormone involved in the female menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and embryogenesis

alt=Chemical diagram|Medrogestone, a synthetic drug with effects similar to progesterone

alt=Chemical diagram|β-Sitosterol, a plant or phytosterol, with a fully branched hydrocarbon side chain at C-17 and an hydroxyl group at C-3

Vitamin D forms such as ergocalciferol, cholecalciferol, and calcitriol

Agaricus bisporus

Edible basidiomycete mushroom native to grasslands in Europe and North America.

Two Agaricus bisporus mushrooms that have fused together

Ventral view of a portobello cultivar with a bisected stipe

Grilled portobello, feta, and rocket salad on toasted baguette

While fresh A. bisporus only contains 0.2 micrograms (8 IU) of vitamin D as ergocalciferol (vitamin D2), the ergocalciferol content increases substantially after exposure to UV light.

Calcitriol

Active form of vitamin D, normally made in the kidney.

Compared to other vitamin D compounds in clinical use (cholecalciferol, ergocalciferol), calcitriol has a higher risk of inducing hypercalcemia.

Mushroom

Fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground, on soil, or on its food source.

The psychotropic mushroom Amanita muscaria, commonly known as "fly agaric"

Amanita muscaria, the most easily recognised "toadstool", is frequently depicted in fairy stories and on greeting cards. It is often associated with gnomes.

Morphological characteristics of the caps of mushrooms

A mushroom (probably Russula brevipes) parasitized by Hypomyces lactifluorum resulting in a "lobster mushroom"

Amanita jacksonii buttons emerging from their universal veils

The blue gills of Lactarius indigo, a milk-cap mushroom

Morchella elata asci viewed with phase contrast microscopy

Agaricus bitorquis mushroom emerging through asphalt concrete in summer

Yellow flower pot mushrooms (Leucocoprinus birnbaumii) at various states of development

The Agaricus bisporus, one of the most widely cultivated and popular mushrooms in the world

Culinary mushrooms are available in a wide diversity of shapes and colors at this market stand at the San Francisco Ferry Building.

Young Amanita phalloides "death cap" mushrooms, with a matchbox for size comparison

Psilocybe zapotecorum, a hallucinogenic mushroom

There are over 100 psychoactive mushroom species of genus Psilocybe native to regions all around the world.

The US Department of Agriculture provided evidence that UV-exposed mushrooms contain substantial amounts of vitamin D. When exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, even after harvesting, ergosterol in mushrooms is converted to vitamin D2, a process now used intentionally to supply fresh vitamin D mushrooms for the functional food grocery market.

Vitamin D-binding protein

Protein that in humans is encoded by the GC gene.

A representation of the 3D structure of the protein myoglobin showing turquoise α-helices. This protein was the first to have its structure solved by X-ray crystallography. Toward the right-center among the coils, a prosthetic group called a heme group (shown in gray) with a bound oxygen molecule (red).

It is able to bind the various forms of vitamin D including ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), the 25-hydroxylated forms (calcifediol), and the active hormonal product, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol).