Little if any cutaneous production of vitamin D3 occurs at latitudes above and below 35° N and 35° S during the winter months. It was postulated that those residing in tropics synthesize enough vitamin D3 year round. Several studies have documented the effect of latitude, season and time of the day on the cutaneous production of vitamin D3 in an ampoule model. Studies from India have shown high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency despite abundant sunshine.