- cholecalciferol
- (5Z,7E)-(3S)-9,10-Secocholesta-5,7,10(19)-trien-3-ol; formed by breakage of the 9,10 bond in 7-dehydrocholesterol by ultraviolet irradiation, yielding a double bond between C-10 and C-19; probably the vitamin D of animal origin found in the skin, fur, and feathers of animals and birds exposed to sunlight, and also in butter, brain, fish oils, and egg yolk. SYN: vitamin D3. SYN: calciol.
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cho·le·cal·cif·er·ol .kō-lə-(.)kal-'sif-ə-.rȯl, -.rōl n a sterol C27H43OH that is a natural form of vitamin D found esp. in fish, egg yolks, and fish-liver oils and is formed in the skin on exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet rays called also vitamin D, vitamin D3* * *
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cho·le·cal·ci·fer·ol (ko″lə-kal-sifґər-ol) a hormone synthesized in the skin on irradiation of 7-dehydrocholesterol or obtained as a vitamin from dietary sources; it is activated when metabolized to 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. See table. See also ergocalciferol. Called also vitamin D3>. [USP] a preparation of this compound, derived from animal tissues and used in the prophylaxis and treatment of vitamin D deficiencies due to low intake, high requirement, or impaired absorption of the vitamin. It is also used in the treatment of hypocalcemic tetany and hypoparathyroidism.
Medical dictionary. 2011.