25 Hydroxycholecalciferol levels in bedouins in the Negev

25 Hydroxycholecalciferol (25 HCC) levels were measured in 31 bedouin females and 8 bedouin male tribesmen and compared with the levels in Jewish males and females in Beersheba. In nonpregnant bedouin women the mean 25 HCC level was 25.4 ng/ml ± 9.78. In pregnant bedouin women the mean was 23.4 ng/ml ± 8.52. In bedouin males the mean level was 25.7 ng/ml ± 3.03. In Jewish females both pregnant and nonpregnant, the levels were higher (32.7 ng/ml ± 6.02 and 44.3 ng/ml ± 9.24). Jewish males had levels of 32.8 ± 6.29 ng/ml. No bedouin had plasma levels below 10 ng/ml, and there was no evidence to suggest deficiency of vitaimin D in bedouin males or females. Am.J.Clin.Nutr.29: 1104-1107, 1976