1. Introduction

Vitamin D deficiency remains a widespread global health problem affecting both humans and animals. According to the World Health Organization, over 1 billion individuals worldwide suffer from inadequate vitamin D levels, while hypovitaminosis D is detected in more than 30–40% of domestic and agricultural animals in various climatic zones [1]. The prevalence is particularly high in regions with limited sunlight exposure, intensive indoor breeding systems, and imbalanced feeding programs, leading to metabolic disturbances, impaired growth, and weakened immune responses among livestock and laboratory animals [2]. In recent years, nutritional epidemiology has highlighted that vitamin D status is closely linked not only to skeletal health, but also to a wide range of physiological processes, including endocrine regulation, reproductive performance, inflammatory responses, and antioxidant protection [3].

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) plays a central role in calcium-phosphorus metabolism, ensuring proper mineralization of bone and cartilage tissues. Numerous studies demonstrate that deficiency of vitamin D3 contributes to rickets, osteomalacia, muscle weakness, and decreased adaptive capacity in animals [4]. Experimental data show that regular dietary supplementation with vitamin D3 leads to increased bone density, enhanced immune resistance, and improved feed utilization efficiency [5]. For example, Khan et al. reported that vitamin D3 supplementation in laboratory rats resulted in significantly higher serum calcium concentration and improved structural parameters of bone tissue compared to non-supplemented controls [6]. Similarly, Ivanova and colleagues demonstrated that livestock receiving vitamin D3-enriched rations exhibited accelerated weight gain, increased productivity, and reduced susceptibility to infectious diseases [7].

In recent decades, biologically active dietary supplements (BADs) have become an important component of veterinary nutrition strategies. Their use is aimed at correcting micronutrient deficiencies, optimizing metabolic processes, and improving overall physiological performance. Modern preparations—such as the dietary supplement “NUMA Vitamin D3”—are formulated to ensure high bioavailability, stability, and accurate dosing of cholecalciferol, making them promising for controlled experimental and practical use in animal feeding programs [8]. Preliminary research suggests that technologically improved delivery systems may enhance intestinal absorption of vitamin D3 and prolong its biological activity, which is essential for achieving consistent physiological effects [9].

Despite the growing availability of vitamin D3 supplements, there is still a need for comprehensive scientific evaluation of their nutritional value, safety, and biological effectiveness in animals. Understanding how “NUMA Vitamin D3” influences metabolic parameters, growth dynamics, immune function, and biochemical markers is critical for developing evidence-based recommendations for its inclusion in animal diets. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the nutritional characteristics and functional efficacy of the dietary supplement “NUMA Vitamin D3,” providing a detailed assessment of its biological impact under controlled experimental conditions.

Adequate vitamin D status is essential for maintaining the health of people of all ages. Recent studies have shown that vitamin D3 supplementation helps reduce the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections, including the novel coronavirus infection COVID-19. It has been shown that in countries where COVID-19 patients have higher vitamin D3 levels, the risk of complications is significantly lower. Vitamin D3 boosts the body's defenses, reduces the likelihood of a "cytokine storm," maintains lung function, and boosts the body's defenses. Weakness, muscle pain, fatigue, brittle bones, dental problems, and frequent colds are associated with vitamin D3 deficiency. In addition to the effects vitamin D has on the musculoskeletal system, it currently plays an important role in maintaining immunity, mental health, and overall life expectancy [2,4,7]. It helps with osteochondrosis and arthritis, and strengthens bones, joints, and teeth. Enhances calcium and phosphorus absorption, normalizes heart and vascular function [1,3,4,9]. It should be noted that in recent years there has been an increase in the incidence of gout and vitamin D deficiency associated with this pathology, with its worsening course, which determines the relevance of this study [5,6,7,8].

Considering the above, research aimed at replenishing ingredients, including vitamin D3 deficiency, is a pressing issue.

The aim of the study is to investigate the nutritional value of the dietary supplement "Numa Vitamin D3" and the effectiveness of this product in animals.

2. Material and Research Methods

To achieve this goal, we studied organoleptic, microbiological, and physicochemical studies on rats.

Together with employees Nurti Makon Factori " Numa Vitamin D3" soft gelatin capsules were developed, obtained by pressing, with additives of minerals, vitamins, and plant extracts by mixing them, in the form of soft and hard encapsulated forms, intended as an additional source in case of insufficient intake of vitamin D3 from food and intended for sale in the retail and pharmacy network.

The nutritional and biological value of the product were studied on male and female white rats in accordance with the purpose, obtained from the zoo section of the USEN GMU. with an initial body weight of 140-160 grams. The animals were kept under standard conditions on a general vivarium food ration, 6 individuals per group, the diet of the experimental groups was supplemented with the studied additives, which were administered through a tube after preliminary grinding of the candies and mixing with water to a suspension. Organoleptic indicators were determined by smell, color and transparency according to GOST 1198; O ' zDSt 950: 2011 - drinking water; O ' zDSt - 1197-2015 - vegetable oils; the content of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) by high-performance liquid chromatography according to GOST EN 12821-2014.

The control methods for physical and chemical indicators were carried out according to the organization standard Ts 309753282:001-2022.

The statistical study was conducted using Microsoft Office Excel-2020 and SPSS 22 software packages.

3. Study Results

Organoleptic properties of the dietary supplement "Numa Vitamin D3" soft gelatin capsules in terms of smell, color and transparency they corresponded to GOST 1198 (Table 1).

Table 1. Organoleptic properties of the biologically active food supplement “Numa Vitamin D3” soft gelatin capsules

The composition of this product contains cholecalciferol (D3), refined vegetable oil and excipients: gelatin, vegetable oil and purified water. The chemical composition of the dietary supplement “Numa vitamin D3” is presented in Table 2.

Table 2. Chemical composition of the dietary supplement "Numa Vitamin D3"

The content of toxic elements, mycotoxins, pesticides, radionuclides and microbiological and radiological indicators in The dietary supplement did not exceed the permissible levels established by SanPiN 0366 (GOST 26669, GOST 26670, GOST 31904).

A nutritional and energy value study showed that the dietary supplement " Numa Vitamin D3" contains 24.0 grams of protein, 38 grams of fat, and 2.2 grams of carbohydrates per 100 grams. The total energy value is 755.2 kcal.

Technological instructions have been developed for this product - "Numa vitamin D3" soft gelatin capsules" Ts 309753282-001: organization standard, approved by the Chief Sanitary Doctor of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan and LLC Nurti Makon Factori.

At the second stage, the effectiveness of “Numa vitamin D3” was assessed on rats after four weeks of daily single intragastric (through a tube) administration of the biologically active supplement “ Numa vitamin D3 ” at the recommended daily dose.

In terms of body weight and weight gain, no statistically significant differences were found between the animals that received the tested dietary supplements and the control animals that received distilled water in either males or females. The results of hematological analyses showed that intragastric administration of the dietary supplement “Numa vitamin D3” did not have a negative impact on peripheral blood parameters and allowed maintaining an optimal physiological status throughout the entire duration of the trial. To evaluate its effectiveness, biochemical tests were conducted to assess the restorative capacity of the dietary supplement "Numa Vitamin D3." These included determination of total protein, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in the venous blood serum of animals. These tests revealed an increase in total protein in experimental animals by an average of 8-12%, indicating activation of protein metabolism processes and, thus, improved energy supply for biochemical processes occurring in the body. No pathological changes were observed in rats of either the control or experimental groups; the specific gravity of internal organs in the experimental groups did not differ from that of the control group.

When determining the relative mass of organs, no convincing evidence of tissue edema, circulatory impairment, or hemorrhage was obtained. No significant differences were found between the groups in gravimetric coefficients.

The analysis of the obtained results showed that Numa vitamin D3 capsules are not harmful (hazard class IV - low-hazard substances), do not have cumulative, reactive and sensitizing properties. In the experimental animals, no dystrophic, necrotic and inflammatory changes were observed, as well as differences in the structure of internal organs. The results of tests of nutritional and biological value, organoleptic and physicochemical indicators of the biologically active food supplement Numa vitamin D3 soft gelatin capsules proved its effectiveness, medical and biological safety and compliance with the requirements of the State Department for Sanitary Supervision of Food and Drug Quality (Ts 309753282 - 001: 2022, approved by the Chief Sanitary Doctor of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Nurti LLC Makon Factori »).

4. Conclusions

Developed in collaboration with Nurti staff. Makon Factori "Numa Vitamin D3" soft gelatin capsules meet the requirements of the State Department for Sanitary Supervision of Food and Drug Quality. The results of the conducted studies of the nutritional and biological value, organoleptic and physicochemical indicators of the product on animals allow us to conclude that Numa Vitamin D3 capsules are not harmful and do not have cumulative, reactive or sensitizing properties. The product activates protein metabolism processes, improves energy supply for biochemical processes occurring in the rats' bodies, improves overall health, and maintains the body's physiological status in an optimal state.