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 Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Bassett, C. F. Articles by Wilke, C. F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Bassett, C. F. Articles by Wilke, C. F.

Effect of Various Levels of Calcium, Phosphorus and Vitamin D Intake on Bone Growth

II. Minks

Six Figures

Bureau of Animal Industry, Agricultural Research Administration, United States Department of Agriculture and Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, cooperating^,2

In a factorially designed experiment, the effects on bone growth of each of 4 levels of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D, and of sex, were investigated. One hundred and twenty-eight minks were fed the experimental diets, beginning at a weaning age of 50 days and continuing to the time of pelting at an age of 216 days. X-ray photographs of the humeri were taken at about 125 days of age.

At the close of the experiment the following weights and measurements were taken on the isolated humeri: weight of ash, volume, weight of ether extracted dry bone, length, bone thickness and degree of bending. Covariance analysis was used to adjust the ash content of each humerus to an equal volume and an equal weight of ether extracted dry bone. Under the conditions of this experiment the following conclusions are justified:

1. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus for a growing mink should be maintained between 0.75:1.00 and 1.7:1.0.

2. The minimum calcium and phosphorus requirement of the growing mink is below 0.3% in the dry diet. The vitamin D requirement is less than that supplied by the basal diet (0.82 I.U. per gram of dry food).

3. In practice a nutrient allowance of 0.4 to 1.0% calcium, 0.4 to 0.8% phosphorus, and 0.82 I.U. vitamin D per gram of dry food would give satisfactory results, provided the above calcium to phosphorus ratio is maintained.

² At the time this work was conducted the research concerned with mink was under the Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Department of the Interior. Effective June 30, 1946, all activities pertaining to fur farming were transferred to the United States Department of Agriculture.

Manuscript received 22 January 1951.