Abstract:
The present invention provides a method of preventing, curing, and/or treating hypocalcemia of a domestic mammal, especially, a cow.  
     Specifically, the present invention provides a method of administrating a vitamin D derivative to prevent, cure and/or treat hypocalcemia, characterized in that a vitamin D derivative, especially, 1α-hydroxyvitamin D 3  and/or 1.25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3  is transvaginally administered to a domestic mammal.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a method of preventing, curing, and/or treating hypocalcemia of a domestic animal. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of preventing, curing, and/or treating hypocalcemia of a domestic mammal by transvaginally administering a vitamin D derivative to the domestic mammal.  
       BACKGROUND ART  
       [0002]     In general, administration of vitamin D 3  (hereinafter, also abbreviated to VD 3 ) is used as one of methods of preventing, curing, and/or treating parturient hypocalcemia of dairy cows.  
         [0003]     VD 3  is metabolized to 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3  in a liver and further to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3  (hereinafter, also abbreviated to 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 ) in a kidney.  
         [0004]     A method of preventing, curing, and/or treating hypocalcemia by administering 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 , the most physiologically active metabolite among VD 3  metabolites that regulate calcium metabolism, to a daily cow is also practiced (see JP-A 61-233620 (related application: U.S. Pat. No. 322,462) and Gast et al., J. Dairy Sci. vol. 62: pp. 1009-1013, 1979).  
         [0005]     The administration of a drug via the vagina has been known since ancient Egypt. During the last century, the absorption of many substances such as estrogen, progesterone, prostaglandin, antibiotics, nonoxynol-9, methasone, and inorganic compounds from the vagina had been observed in humans and animals.  
         [0006]     In recent years, an intravaginal insert containing progesterone is widely used for regulating the estrous cycle of a cow (see JP2001-523515T (related application: International Publication of WO 99/26556) and J. Dairy Sci. vol. 70: pp. 2162-2167, 1987).  
         [0007]     Although 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  has been used in intravenous, intramuscular, and oral administration methods for preventing, curing, and/or treating parturient hypocalcemia of dairy cows, the effectiveness of intravaginal administration of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  against parturient hypocalcemia has not been found.  
       DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     An object of the present invention is to provide a method of readily preventing, curing, and/or treating hypocalcemia of a domestic mammal, especially diseases such as intrapartum astasia that is a leading cause of death and disuse of cows, by transvaginally administering a vitamin D derivative to the domestic mammal.  
         [0009]     The inventors of the present invention have intensively studied the absorptivity of vitamins D, A, and E, which are fat-soluble vitamins, by transvaginally administering them to cows. As a result, the inventors of the present invention have completed the present invention by finding that the absorptivity of those fat-soluble vitamins is generally low and however, only a particular vitamin D derivative is favorably absorbed from the vagina with ease and is effective for preventing, curing, and/or treating diseases associated with hypocalcemia.  
         [0010]     That is, the present invention provides a method of administering a vitamin D derivative according to any one of items 1 to 15 below, which is useful for preventing, curing, and/or treating diseases associated with hypocalcemia (especially astasia or the like of a cow) of a domestic mammal, for example, a cow, a horse, a sheep, a goat, a pig, a dog, and a cat, by transvaginally administering the vitamin D derivative to the domestic mammal. 
    1. A method of preventing hypocalcemia, characterized in that a vitamin D derivative is transvaginally administered to a domestic mammal.     2. The method of preventing hypocalcemia according to the above item 1, in which the domestic mammal is a cow.     3. The method of preventing hypocalcemia according to the above item 1 or 2, including administering an intravaginal insert containing the vitamin D derivative to a vaginal cavity.     4. The method of preventing hypocalcemia according to any one of the above items 1 to 3, in which the vitamin D derivative administered intravaginally is absorbed in the vaginal cavity of the domestic mammal to increase a calcium concentration in the body, thereby preventing the disease.     5. The method of preventing hypocalcemia according to any one of the above items 1 to 4, in which the vitamin D derivative is 1α-hydroxyvitamin D 3  or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 .     6. A method of curing hypocalcemia, including transvaginally administering a vitamin D derivative to a domestic mammal.     7. The method of curing hypocalcemia according to the above item 6, in which the domestic mammal is a cow.     8. The method of curing hypocalcemia according to the above items 6 or 7, including administering an intravaginal insert containing the vitamin D derivative to a vaginal cavity.     9. The method of curing hypocalcemia according to any one of the above items 6 to 8, in which the vitamin D derivative administered intravaginally is absorbed in the vaginal cavity of the domestic mammal to increase a calcium concentration in the body, thereby curing the disease.     10. The method of curing hypocalcemia according to any one of the above items 6 to 9, in which the vitamin D derivative is 1α-hydroxyvitamin D 3  or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 .     11. A method of treating hypocalcemia, characterized in that a vitamin D derivative is transvaginally administered to a domestic mammal.     12. The method of treating hypocalcemia according to the above item 11, in which the domestic mammal is a cow.     13. The method of treating hypocalcemia according to the above item 11 or 12, including administering an intravaginal insert containing the vitamin D derivative to a vaginal cavity.     14. The method of treating hypocalcemia according to any one of the above items 11 to 13, in which the vitamin D derivative administered intravaginally is absorbed in the vaginal cavity of the domestic mammal to increase a calcium concentration in the body, thereby treating the disease.     15. The method of treating hypocalcemia according to any one of the above items 11 to 14, in which the vitamin D derivative is 1α-hydroxyvitamin D 3  or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 .    
 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     A vitamin D derivative to be administered to the vaginal cavity of a domestic mammal in the present invention includes a vitamin D derivative represented by the following general formula (1):  
                         
 
 wherein R 1  and R 2 each represent a hydrogen atom or R 1  and R 2 together may form a double bond; R 3  represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; and R 4  represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group. 
 
         [0027]     A concrete example of the vitamin D derivative represented by the above general formula (1) includes a calciferol derivative (vitamin D 2  derivative) wherein R 1  and R 2  together form a double bond and R 3  represents a methyl group or a cholecalciferol derivative (vitamin D 3  derivative) wherein R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  each represent a hydrogen atom.  
         [0028]     Of those vitamin D 2  and D 3  derivatives, 1α-hydroxyvitamin D and/or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D derivatives are preferred. A typical example thereof includes 1α-hydroxyvitamin D 2 , 1α-hydroxyvitamin D 3 , or 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 .  
         [0029]     The vitamin D derivative is administered to a vaginal cavity using an intravaginal insert containing the vitamin D derivative. The form of the intravaginal insert (delivery type) that can be used is, for example, a gel, a tablet, a microsphere, and CIDR, which are generally used.  
         [0030]     The absorption of the vitamin D derivative from the vaginal mucous membrane can be confirmed by observing changes in the vitamin D derivative administered to the vaginal cavity and several types of minerals (calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (iP), and magnesium (Mg)).  
         [0031]     For example, the absorption can be confirmed by intravaginally administering 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  dissolved in ethanol at a dose of approximately 1 μg per kg of body weight to the vaginal cavity of a cow and comparing the cow with a control to which ethanol is administered.  
         [0032]     In the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  is administered, the value of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  in plasma changes and the values of Ca, iP, and Mg in plasma change. The absorption of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  can be confirmed by observing the changes in the value of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  in plasma. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0033]      FIG. 1  shows the shift with time of a 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3  (1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 ) concentration in blood for each test cow (Cow A or Cow B) by the intravaginal administration of 1α-VD 3  in Example 1.  
         [0034]      FIG. 2  shows the shift with time of a calcium (Ca) concentration in blood for each test cow (Cow A or Cow B) by the intravaginal administration of 1α-VD 3  in Example 1.  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  shows the shift with time of an inorganic phosphorus (iP) concentration in blood for each test cow (Cow A or Cow B) by the intravaginal administration of 1α-VD 3  in Example 1.  
         [0036]      FIG. 4  shows the shift with time of a magnesium (Mg) concentration in blood for each test cow (Cow A or Cow B) by the intravaginal administration of 1α-VD 3  in Example 1.  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  shows the shift with time of a vitamin A (VitA) concentration in blood for each test cow (Cow A or Cow B) by the intravaginal administration of VitAD 3 E in Comparative Example 1.  
         [0038]      FIG. 6  shows the shift with time of a vitamin E (VitE) concentration in blood for each test cow (Cow A or Cow B) by the intravaginal administration of VitAD 3 E in Comparative Example 1.  
         [0039]      FIG. 7  shows the shift with time of a 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3  (25-OHD 3 ) concentration in blood for each test cow (Cow A or Cow B) by the intravaginal administration of VitAD 3 E in Comparative Example 1.  
         [0040]      FIG. 8  shows the shift with time of a 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  concentration in plasma for raised cows to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  (n=5; ●) and ethanol (n=1; ▪) are intravaginally administered in Example 2.  
         [0041]      FIG. 9  shows the shift with time of mineral (Ca, iP, and Mg) concentrations in plasma for raised cows to which 1,25-(OH)  2 D 3  (n=5; ●) and ethanol (n=1; ▪) are intravaginally administered in Example 2.  
         [0042]      FIG. 10  shows the shift with time of a 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  concentration in plasma for raised cows to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  is intravaginally administered in Example 3. However, in  FIG. 10 , “iv” denotes intravenous administration (ditto with  FIG. 11  to  FIG. 16 ).  
         [0043]      FIG. 11  shows the shift with time of a calcium concentration in plasma for raised cows to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  is intravaginally administered in Example 3.  
         [0044]      FIG. 12  shows the shift with time of an iP concentration in plasma for raised cows to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  is intravaginally administered in Example 3.  
         [0045]      FIG. 13  shows the shift with time of a Mg concentration in plasma for raised cows to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  is intravaginally administered in Example 3.  
         [0046]      FIG. 14  shows the shift with time of a Ca/creatinine (Cre) concentration in urine for raised cows to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  is intravaginally administered in Example 3.  
         [0047]      FIG. 15  shows the shift with time of an iP/creatinine (Cre) concentration in urine for raised cows to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  is intravaginally administered in Example 3.  
         [0048]      FIG. 16  shows the shift with time of a Mg/creatinine (Cre) concentration in urine for raised cows to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  is intravaginally administered in Example 3. 
     
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION  
       [0049]     Hereinafter, the present invention will further be described with reference to Examples and Comparative Example. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to them by any means. In the examples described below, a 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  concentration in plasma was determined using a radioimmunoassay kit (1,25-(OH) 2 D RIA kit, Immunodiagnostic Systems Limited, UK). The Ca concentrations, inorganic phosphorus (iP) concentrations, and magnesium (Mg) concentrations in plasma and urine were determined by orthocresolphthalein complexone (O-CPC), molybdenum (Mo), and xylidyl blue methods, respectively. A creatinine concentration in urine was determined by a Jaffe method. Calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (iP), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations in urine were indicated in the ratios relative to creatinine (Cre) (Ca/Cre, iP/Cre, and Mg/Cre, respectively).  
       EXAMPLE 1  
       [0050]     Biochemical changes in blood were observed by administering 1α-hydroxyvitamin D 3  to the vaginal cavities of cows.  
         [0051]     Test animals used were two Holstein dairy cows (Cow A and Cow B) described below. During a test period, the cows were raised by the free grazing of hay (free water drinking) in a field paddock as well as feeding with 2 kg/day of formula feed (64.1% TDN, 13.6% CP, 0.2% Ca, 0.09% Mg, and 1.39% K in DM).  
         [0052]     Cow A: 35months old, female, single birth, ovariectomized, 560 kg  
         [0053]     Cow B: 34months old, female, single birth, ovariectomized, 580 kg  
         [0054]     The following test drug was used: 
    1α-hydroxyvitamin D 3  (1α-VD 3 ; manufactured by Nisshin Pharma Co., Ltd., powder).    
 
         [0056]     Test contents and schedules were as follows: 
    1. Control test: intravaginal administration of 4 mL of 20% ethanol (for 1 week); and     2. 1α-VD 3  test: intravaginal administration of 1 μg/kg (by body weight) of 1α-VD 3  dissolved in 4 mL of 20% ethanol (for 2 weeks).    
 
         [0059]     Intravaginal administration was performed by the following procedure:  
         [0060]     The above-described reagent was prepared on ice water and then administered, with a 10-mL plastic syringe, to a deep region in the vagina of the test cows previously allowed to urinate and vulva skin was immediately closed with an instant adhesive.  
         [0061]     In each test, blood was collected immediately before administration (0 hour) and at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours (hrs) after administration.  
         [0062]     The biochemical examination of blood was conducted on the following items: 
    Control test: 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3  [1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 ], calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (iP), and magnesium (Mg); and     1α-VD 3  test: 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 , Ca, iP, and Mg.    
 
         [0065]     The obtained data was analyzed by comparing the result of the biochemical examination of blood for each test cow in the 1α-VD 3  test with the result of control test and investigating the presence or absence of the intravaginal absorption of each drug.  
         [0066]     The shifts of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 , Ca, iP, and Mg concentrations in blood by the intravaginal administration of 1α-VD 3  were observed by the above-described procedure. Results obtained by observing the shifts of concentrations by the intravaginal administration of 1α-VD 3  are shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4 .  
         [0067]     Comparison and contemplation between the result of the present Example 1 and the result of Comparative Example 1 below demonstrate that 1α-VD 3  is absorbed from the vaginal wall into the body by the intravaginal administration of 1α-VD 3  and quickly converted to 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 , thereby affecting Ca metabolism.  
         [0068]     No evidence that administered drugs were absorbed from the vaginal wall was confirmed in the intravaginal administration of vitamin A, vitamin D 3 , and vitamin E in Comparative Example 1 below.  
       COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1  
       [0069]     Vitamin A, vitamin D 3 , and vitamin E were administered to the vaginal cavities of cows to observe biochemical changes in blood after administration in the same manner as in Example 1 except that test drugs, test contents, and biochemical examination items of blood were as described in the following (1) to (3).  
         [0000]     (1) Test Drug  
         [0000]    
       
          Vitamin A (VitA; bulk for drug production, liquid);  
          Vitamin D 3  (VitD 3 ; bulk for drug production, liquid); and  
          Vitamin E (VitE; bulk for drug production, liquid). 
 
 (2) Test Contents 
 
          VitAD 3 E test: intravaginal administration of VitA (10,000,000 IU)+VitD 3  (5,000,000 IU)+VitE (920 IU) brought up to 8 mL per cow with 20% ethanol. 
 
 (3) Biochemical Examination Items of Blood 
 
          Control test: VitA, 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3  (25-OHD 3 ), VitE, calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (iP), and magnesium (Mg); and  
          VitAD 3 E test: VitA, 25-OHD 3 , and VitE.  
       
     
         [0076]     The obtained data was analyzed by comparing the result of the biochemical examination of blood for each test cow in the VitAD 3 E test with the result of control test and investigating the presence or absence of the intravaginal absorption of each drug.  
         [0077]     The shifts of VitA, 25-OHD 3 , and VitE concentrations in blood by the intravaginal administration of VitAD 3 E were observed by the above-described procedure. Results obtained by observing the shifts of concentrations by the intravaginal administration of VitAD 3 E are shown in  FIG. 5  to  FIG. 7 .  
         [0078]     Comparison and contemplation between the result of the present Comparative Example 1 and the result of the above Example 1 demonstrate that 1α-VD 3  in Example 1 is absorbed from the vaginal wall into the body by the intravaginal administration of 1α-VD 3  and quickly converted to 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 , thereby affecting Ca metabolism, whereas no evidence that the administered drugs were absorbed from the vaginal wall was confirmed in the intravaginal administration of VitAD 3 E in Comparative Example 1.  
       EXAMPLE 2  
       [0079]     For confirming the absorption in the vagina of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  administered to the vaginal cavities of cows, biochemical changes of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  and minerals in blood were observed after the intravaginal administration of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  to cows.  
         [0080]     Six Holstein cows (3 to 6 months olds, 97 to 118 kg in body weights) that were clinically healthy were raised and domesticated for at least 1 week in the same fence by providing them with feed (1.56 kg of grass, 0.55 kg of formula feed, and 1.44 kg of alfalfahey cube in dried forms) having a daily mineral intake of 21 g of Ca, 13 g of P, and 4 g of Mg that satisfies requirements stipulated by NRC (National Research Council) on a daily basis and free water drinking.  
         [0081]     To each of five of the cows, 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  (crystal manufactured by Mercian Corporation dissolved in 99% ethanol to bring its concentration to 1 mg/mL and cryopreserved at −20° C. until just before use) was intravaginally administered at 1 μg per kg of body weight.  
         [0082]     Intravaginal administration was performed using a 14-gauge, 64 mm-long cannula with an indwelling needle for injection (Surflo, Terumo Co. Ltd., Tokyo) and a plastic pump (Top Plastic Syringe, Top Surgical Taiwan Corporation, Taiwan).  
         [0083]     To the other cow, 3.0 mL of 99% ethanol was administered as a control.  
         [0084]     A heparinized blood sample was collected from a jugular vein immediately before administration (0 hour) and at 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after administration.  
         [0085]     The biochemical value of blood was indicated as a means±standard deviation. For observing the effect of the intravaginal administration of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 , repeated measures analysis of variance was used. When the effect was significant, a statistical test was conducted by the Dunnett&#39;s multiple comparison between the value at 0 hour and each value after administration. The significant difference was set to P&lt;0.05.  
         [0086]     Although significant changes in 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 , Ca, iP, and Mg concentrations in plasma were observed in the cows to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravaginally administered, those varying concentrations in plasma were not affected by ethanol administration except for iP ( FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 ).  
         [0087]     As can be seen from  FIG. 8 , a significant change (b) P&lt;0.01) was observed in the value of the 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  concentration in plasma of the cows to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravaginally administered, as compared with the value at 0 hour.  
         [0088]     As can be seen from  FIG. 9 , significant changes (a) P&lt;0.05 and b) P&lt;0.01) were observed in the values of the mineral (Ca, iP, and Mg) concentrations in plasma of the cows to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravaginally administered, as compared with the value at 0 hour.  
         [0089]     The value of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  in plasma was 88.3±20.3 pg/mL before administration (0 hour) and significantly (p&lt;0.01) increased to 1967.4±1139.6 pg/mL at 6 hours after administration of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 , and reduced thereafter.  
         [0090]     The Ca concentration in plasma of the cows to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was administered was significantly (P&lt;0.01) high at 12 to 72 hours after administration as compared with the value before administration (10.4±0.4 mg/dL) and exhibited the maximum value (11.96±0.7 mg/dL) at 24 hours after administration.  
         [0091]     Change in the iP concentration in plasma observed in the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was administered was same as that of the cow which underwent ethanol administration.  
         [0092]     The value of iP in plasma was significantly high at 6 hours (8.1±0.8 mg/dL; P&lt;0.05) and 24 to 96 hours (9.1±0.7 to 8.6±0.6 mg/dL; P&lt;0.01) after administration of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  as compared with the value at 0 hour (7.3±0.5 mg/dL).  
         [0093]     The value of Mg in plasma was significantly (P&lt;0.01) low at 24 and 48 hours (1.8±0.1 and 1.8±0.1 mg/dL) after administration of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  as compared with the value at 0 hour (2.1±0.1 mg/dL).  
         [0094]     In the present result, a sudden increase and rise of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  in plasma were observed only in the cows at 2 hours after administration of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 .  
         [0095]     With that, the absorption of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 from the vaginal wall of a cow has been confirmed.  
         [0096]     It is noted that the state of the above-described changes in the 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  concentration in plasma is similar to results observed in nonpregnant-nonlactating adult cows intramuscularly injected with 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 . The main physiological effect of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  is to increase Ca and iP concentrations in plasma by being absorbed from the intestinal tract. However, the present result from the raised cows to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravaginally administered was similar to the values of Ca and iP in plasma that were led to high levels by the intravenous injection of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 .  
         [0097]     However, in the present experimental result, an initial decrease and subsequent increase in an iP concentration in plasma were observed in the raised cow to which ethanol was administered.  
         [0098]     In similar biphasic changes in the value of iP in plasma obtained with rabbits, it is considered that hypophosphatemia was caused at an early stage by the metabolic process of ethanol catalyzed by ethanol dehydrogenase and hyperphosphatemia was subsequently induced by acetaldehyde, an ethanol metabolite thereof.  
         [0099]     Therefore, the change in the iP concentration in plasma in the present experiment suggests that not only 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  but ethanol was absorbed via the vaginal wall of a cow.  
         [0100]     The cause of hypomagnesemia after the intramuscular injection or intravaginal administration of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  to an adult cow is not elucidated. However, hypomagnesemia may be due to 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  that decreases the reabsorption of Mg in the renal tubule and thereby increases the renal excretion of Mg.  
         [0101]     The thickness of the vaginal epithelium of a cow is considered to vary in response to the secretion of ovarian hormones. The raised cows used in the present Example do not reach puberty. Therefore, the absorption of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  from the vagina results in no change in the thickness of the vaginal epithelium. Thus, the absorption is considered to be more stable in the raised cows having the thin vaginal epithelium than those in adult cows. However, the present experimental result indicates that the intravaginal administration of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  may be sufficient for preventing parturient hypocalcemia.  
       EXAMPLE 3  
       [0102]     The dose-response test of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  by an intravaginal administration route was performed with five 3 to 9-year-old ovariectomized Holstein cows having body weights of 616 to 804 kg as test animals.  
         [0103]     The cows were hitched to a partition after and provided with 5.3 kg of timothy hay, 0.18 kg of alfalfa hay, 0.71 kg of beet pulp pellet, and 1.7 kg of commercially-available grain mix on a daily basis. The cows were measured on a DM basis and freely provided with water. A daily mineral intake was set to 48.4 g for calcium, 20.2 g of inorganic phosphorus, and 12.7 g for magnesium, which sufficiently exceeded the NRC recommendation.  
         [0104]     To the five cows, 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was respectively administered at 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 μg/kg (by body weight) as an intravaginal dose level and 1.0 μg/kg (by body weight) as an intravenous injection dose level at an interval of 2 weeks or more according to a 5×5 Latin square design.  
         [0105]     The 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  (manufactured by Mercian Corporation) used was in the form of crystalline powder, which was dissolved in 99% ethanol at 200 μg/mL and cryopreserved at −20° C. until use.  
         [0106]     A drug composed of 5 mL of 20% ethanol solution containing 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  at 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 μg/kg (by body weight) was administered to a vaginal lumen using a Split Universal Sheath (IMV Int. CO., France) by a rectovaginal cavity method. The vulva was then bonded with an adhesive in order to prevent the 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  solution from being unintentionally excreted from the vaginal lumen. Intravenous administration was performed using a cannula (14-ga cannula for animals, manufactured by Nipro Medical Industries Ltd.) mounted in advance for the collection of a blood sample.  
         [0107]     A heparinized blood sample was collected through the cannula immediately before the administration of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  (0 hour) and at 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours after administration.  
         [0108]     Next, the blood was immediately centrifuged, and 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 , calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations in plasma were determined.  
         [0109]     Urine were collected by urethral catheterization simultaneously with the collection of blood samples from the cows that underwent the intravaginal administration of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  at 0.125 and 1.0 μg/kg (by body weight) and the intravenous injection of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 at 1.0 μg/kg (by body weight), to determine creatinine, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations in the urine. Plasma and urine samples were cryopreserved at −20° C. until analysis.  
         [0110]     As a result, there was the significant difference of changes in 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 , calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations in plasma of the cows to which four levels of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  were intravaginally administered. However, a difference among groups to which different levels of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  were administered was not significant in plasma except for 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 . Similarly, although there was significant difference of changes in calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and magnesium in plasma of the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravenously administered, no difference arose between groups of intravaginal administration and intravenous administration.  
         [0111]     When 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 was intravaginally administered at 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 μg/kg (by body weight), 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  levels in plasma significantly increased from 2 hours to 24 hours after treatment as compared with 0 hour (7.4±5.3, 6.5±1.3, 8.7±5.6, and 6.6±1.6 pg/mL). Those levels reached peaks (2219.3±812.0, 3448.7±737.9, 6388.5±1127.4, and 12315.7±2288.3pg/mL) at 2 hours after administration, and reduced thereafter. There was a significant difference among groups to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  were administered at 0.125×0.5, 0.125×1.0, 0.25×0.5, 0.25×1.0, and 0.5×1.0 μg/kg (by body weight) ( FIG. 10 ). In the cow that underwent intravenous administration, 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  in plasma became similar to those intravaginally administered by 2 hours after administration and was then changed in a similar manner.  
         [0112]     In intravaginal administration, a calcium concentration in plasma of the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was administered at 0.125 or 0.25 μg/kg (by body weight) was significantly high from 12 hours to 120 hours after administration as compared with 0 hour (8.9±0.5 or 8.9±0.4 mg/dL) and reached a peak (11.1±0.9 or 11.2±0.7 mg/dL) at 48 hours after administration. Alternatively, a calcium concentration in plasma of the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was administered at 0.5 or 1.0 μg/kg (by body weight) was significantly high from 6 hours to 120 hours after administration as compared with 0 hour (8.9±0.2 or 8.8±0.7 mg/dL) and reached a peak (11.5±0.6 or12.0±0.6 mg/dL) at 48 hours after administration. Changes in a calcium concentration (8.8±0.5 mg/dL at 0 hour, 11.5±1.2 mg/dL at a peak) in plasma of the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravenously administered were similar to those in the cows to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravaginally administered at 0.5 or 1.0 μg/kg (by body weight) ( FIG. 11 ).  
         [0113]     An inorganic phosphorus concentration (5.3±1.0, 5.3±0.6, or 5.4±1.3 mg/dL at 0 hour) in plasma of the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was administered at 0.125, 0.5, or 1.0 μg/kg significantly rose at 24 hours after intravaginal administration of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  (7.7±0.8, 7.9±0.9, and 8.0±1.2 mg/dL, respectively) and reached the maximum value from 24 hours to 120 hours after administration. An inorganic phosphorus level in plasma of the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravaginally administered at 0.25 μg/kg was significantly high (6.7±0.9 to 8.6±1.2 mg/dL) at 12 hours to 120 hours after administration as compared with the level at 0 hour (4.7±0.6 mg/dL). Changes in an inorganic phosphorus concentration (5.2±1.3 mg/dL at 0 hour) in plasma of the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravenously administered increased (7.2±0.8 mg/dL) at 12 hour after administration and reached a peak from 24 hours to 12 hours after administration (9.1±1.6 to 9.0±1.2 mg/dL) ( FIG. 12 ).  
         [0114]     In intravaginal administration, a magnesium concentration in plasma of the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was administered at 0.125, 0.25,or 1.0 μg/kg was significantly low (1.9±0.1, 1.8±0.1, or 1.8±0.2 to 1.8±0.3, 1.7±0.2, or 1.7±0.4 mg/dL) from 24 hours to 120 hours after administration as compared with the respective values at 0 hour (2.2±0.2, 2.0±0.2, and 2.1±0.1 mg/dL). A magnesium concentration in plasma of the cow to which 1,25-OH) 2 D 3  was administered at 0.5 μg/kg was significantly low (1.9±0.2 to 1.7±0.2 mg/dL) from 12 hours to 120 hours after administration as compared with the value at 0 hour (2.2±0.2 mg/dL). Changes in a magnesium concentration (2.2±0.2 mg/dL at 0 hour, 1.9±0.3 to 1.7±0.2 mg/dL from 24 hours to 120 hours after administration) in plasma of the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravenously administered were similar to those in the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravaginally administered at 0.125, 0.5 or 1.0 μg/kg by body weight ( FIG. 13 ).  
         [0115]     Significant changes were observed in the values of a calcium/creatinine ratio (Ca/Cre), an inorganic phosphorus/creatinine ratio (iP/Cre), and a magnesium/creatinine ratio (Mg/Cre) in urine in both of the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravaginally administered at 1.0 μg/kg by body weight and the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravenously administered at 1.0 μg/kg by body weight. There was no influence on those values in the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravaginally administered at 0.125 μg/kg by body weight. There was a significant difference on the value of Mg/Cre among groups in the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravaginally administered at 0.125or 1.0 μg/kg by body weight or the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravenously administered at 1.0 μg/kg by body weight, where as no significant difference among groups arose in the values of Ca/Cre and iP/Cre.  
         [0116]     When 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was administered at 1.0 μg/kg by body weight, the value of Ca/Cre in urine significantly rose via the vagina at 24 hours after administration and significantly rose via the vein at 12 hours and 24 hours after administration ( FIG. 14 ).  
         [0117]     When 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was administered at 1.0 μg/kg by body weight, the value of iP/Cre in urine significantly was significantly high via the vagina from 48 hours 120 hours after administration and via the vein from 72 hours to 120 hours after administration, as compared with the values immediately before administration ( FIG. 15 ).  
         [0118]     When 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was administered at 1.0 μg/kg by body weight, the value of Mg/Cre in urine was significantly high via the vagina from 6 hours to 12 hours after administration and via the vein at 6 hours after administration ( FIG. 16 ).  
         [0119]     Individual bioavailability of the five cows was 71.1, 124.2, 113.3, 90.0, and 66.5%, respectively. It is noted that the bioavailability was determined by comparing an area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) between the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravaginally administered at 1.0 μg/kg (by body weight) and the cow to which the same amount of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravenously administered, and a AUC ratio between intravaginal administration and intravenous administration was indicated by percentage.  
         [0120]     The present result indicates that 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  administered into the vaginal lumen of the ovariectomized cow is absorbed from the vaginal wall proportionately with a dose for all of the four different doses. In addition, the amount of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  administered into the vaginal lumen has no dose-relationship with changes in calcium, inorganic phosphorus, and magnesium concentrations in plasma after administration. In spite of increases in calcium and inorganic phosphorus concentrations in plasma and a decrease in a magnesium concentration in plasma, the excretion of minerals to urine was not affected when 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was administered at 0.125 μg/kg by body weight. In this case, approximately 93% of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  administered to the vaginal lumen was considered to enter into the circulatory system throughout the body.  
         [0121]     Although it is known that a proportional rise in the AUC (area under the plasma concentration-time curve) of calcitriol in serum with an increase in a dose was not observed in oral administration (report by Muindietal., (2002); Pharmacokinetics of high-dose oral calcitriol: Results from a phase I trial of calcitriol andpaclitaxel. Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. 72: 648-659), the present result indicates that 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  is dose-dependently absorbed from the vaginal wall, so that the superiority of the vaginal administration of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  is clear in this regard.  
         [0122]     It is also known that the excretion of calcium into urine increases in cows to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  is intravenously administered at four dose levels (30, 90, 270, and 600 μg) and this increase is not directly related to the dose of steroid in the vein (report by Hoffsis et al., (1979); The use of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in the prevention of parturient hypocalcemia in dairy cows., Bovine Practitioner 13: 88-95). However, in the present result, the amount of calcium excreted into urine had no significant increase in the cow to which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  was intravaginally administered at 0.125 μg/kg by body weight, in spite of the increase in a calcium concentration in plasma. Results from changes in the excretion of inorganic phosphorus and magnesium into urine were similar to that of the excretion of calcium into urine. Those results indicate that, of four doses for the administration of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  to the vaginal lumen, a dose of 0.125 μg/kg by body weight is appropriate. However, in the lowest dose level (0.125 μg/kg by body weight), calcium and inorganic phosphorus concentrations in plasma also increased and magnesium in plasma decreased in a similar manner as the other dose levels.  
         [0123]     The bioavailability of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  via the vagina has not been known so far. The bioavailability of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  at 24 hours after administration of calcitriol at a dose of 60 ng/kg to a young patient dialyzed for a long period is known to be 62% via the mouth and 67% via the peritoneal cavity (report by Salusky et al., (1990); Pharmacokinetics of calcitriol in continuous ambulatory and cycling peritoneal dialysis patients. Am. J. Kidney Dis. 16: 126-32). This report suggests that a first-pass effect in an intestine and/or a liver and a dialysate system of the peritoneal cavity decrease the bioavailability. The bioavailability shown in the present result (approximately 93%) is obviously higher than that in the report. Accordingly, the present result indicates that an effective route via which 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  is administered to a dairy cow is the vaginal cavity.  
         [0124]     The present result indicates that 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3 administered to the vaginal lumen is dose-dependently absorbed to a cow, and also indicates that a suitable dose for the administration of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  to the vaginal lumen is the lowest dose (0.125 μg/kg by body weight) although the administration of 1,25-(OH) 2 D 3  to a cow at a lower dose may affect blood and urine components.  
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY  
       [0125]     According to a method of transvaginally administering a vitamin D derivative to a domestic mammal of the present invention, the prevention, cure, and/or treatment of diseases such as astasia caused by hypocalcemia of a domestic mammal, especially a cow are readily performed for the following reasons: (1) the vitamin D derivative is readily administered without medical equipment; (2) the substance is efficiently absorbed from the vagina without undergoing first-pass metabolism in the liver; (3) its delivery type in administration can have a wide choice of options for a form including a gel, a tablet, a microsphere, and CIDR (controlled internal drug release: a kind of tampon system); and (4) the vitamin D derivative is quickly absorbed because of the use of the vagina composed of tissue in which blood supply is well developed.