QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Smith, M. C. Articles by Spector, H. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Smith, M. C. Articles by Spector, H.

Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism in Rats and Dogs as Influenced by the Ingestion of Mineral Oil

Department of Nutrition, Arisona Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Arizona, Tucson

The effect of mineral oil ingestion on the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus has been studied in rats by comparing the ability of vitamin D fed as cod liver oil, to calcify rachitic lesions in the presence and absence of mineral oil, and in dogs, by comparing the retention of calcium and phosphorus by means of a series of weekly balance studies in mineral oil and non-mineral oil fed puppies. The following observations were made:

1. Mineral oil ingestion interfered with the utilization of vitamin D fed separately as cod liver oil to such an extent that three times as much cod liver oil was necessary to induce healing of the rachitic lesions of rats when the basal ration contained 5% mineral oil, and somewhere between five and ten times as much was needed when 10% mineral oil was incorporated in the basal ration.

2. The balance studies showed that mineral oil ingestion by young dogs interfered with the retention of both calcium and phosphorus so seriously that normal calcification of the bony structure was not possible, the mineral oil fed dogs showing the characteristics of severe rickets even though they received adequate amounts of calcium and phosphorus and were given a supposedly minimum protective dose of cod liver oil. Increasing the amount of cod liver oil fivefold did not provide for optimal retention of the mineral elements in the dog receiving the ration containing 10% mineral oil.