Abstract: A compound which is biologically active in maintaining calcium and phosphorous metabolism in animals, selected from the group consisting of formula (IA) and (IB): ##STR1## wherein the bond between carbons C-22 and C-23 is single or double; Y is hydrogen, F, --CH.sub.3 or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3 ; Z is F, H or X; Y' is H, --CH.sub.3 or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3 ; Z' is F or H; Q.sup.a is CF.sub.3 or CH.sub.2 X; Q.sup.b is CF.sub.3 or CH.sub.3 ; X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and --OR.sup.1, wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen or an orthoester glycoside radical of the formula (II) ##STR2## where A represents a glucofuranosyl or glucopyranosyl ring; R.sup.2 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, aralkyl, or aryl; and R.sup.3 is hydrogen or a straight or branched chain glycosidic residue containing 1-100 glycosidic units per residue; with the proviso that at least one of the R.sup.1 is an orthoester glycoside moiety of formula (II).

Abstract: A water soluble vitamin compound of the formula selected from the group consisting of: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a straight or branched chain glycosidic residue containing 1-20 glycosidic units per residue, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are hydrogen or R.sup.1, with the proviso that at least one of R.sup.2 or R.sup.3 is R.sup.1.

Abstract: A synthetic compound which is biologically active in maintaining calcium and phosphorous metabolism in animals, of the formula I ##STR1## wherein the double bond between positions C-22 and C-23 is single or double; R.sup.2 is hydrogen, CH.sub.3 or CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3 ; X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and --OR.sup.1, where R.sup.1 is hydrogen or a straight or branched chain glycosidic residue containing 1-20 glycosidic units per residue; with the proviso that at least one of the R.sup.1 is a glycosidic residue.