FIG. 5. .

Vitamin D₃ deficiency reversibly disrupts the estrous cycle. Average percentage of time spent in diestrus I (A), diestrus II (B), proestrus (C), and estrus (D) when Vit D₃− Cyp27b1 mice (KO [D-]) were switched to a Vit D₃+ (D+) diet. WT (Vit D₃+) mice described in Figure 4 were included for comparison. ^aP < 0.03 vs. WT and KO (D+) mice; n = 6. E) Representative estrous cycle of Cyp27b1 mouse fed Vit D₃+ diet throughout gestation and lactation and weaned onto a Vit D₃− diet. F) Representative estrous cycle of the same Cyp27b1 mouse transferred to a Vit D₃+ diet for 4 wk. P, proestrus; E, estrus; D1, diestrus 1; D2, diestrus 2. (n = 6).