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Severe Calcium Deficiency in Growing Rats¹

I. Symptoms and Pathology

Three Figures

Division of Biochemistry, University of California Medical School, Berkeley

1. Growing rats reared on a synthetic diet containing about 10 mg. calcium per 100 gm. food developed a condition characterized by the following syndrome: (a) retardation of growth; (b) decreased food consumption; (c) high basal metabolic rate; (d) reduced activity and sensitivity; (e) osteoporosis or low calcium rickets; (f) abnormal posture and gait; (g) susceptibility to internal hemorrhage which results in prostration, paralysis of the hind quarters (frequently fatal), encrusted nostrils, bleeding from the anus, and black, diarrheal feces; (h) a large increase in the volume of the urine; and (i) reduced span of life.

2. The hemorrhages and their consequences of prostration and paralysis are easily induced by a mild galvanic shock.

3. Rats suffering from the effects of calcium deprivation again become normal in appearance, reactions, and chemical composition a few weeks after they are supplied food with an adequate amount of calcium.

4. The injection of calcium salts almost invariably causes the death of the calcium-deprived animals within a few hours.

² The material of this paper was taken from a thesis submitted by Muriel D. D. Boelter to the Graduate Division in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, May, 1940.

Manuscript received 15 August 1940.