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Effect of Vitamin D on the Utilization of Beryllium, Magnesium, Calcium, Strontium and Barium in the Chick¹

Animal Research Institute, Research Branch, Canada Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, Ontario

The influence of vitamin D on the utilization of Ca, Be, Mg, Sr and Ba after administration of isotopes of these elements orally and subcutaneously to rachitic chicks is reported.

The uptake of all of these elements from an oral dose, as measured by deposition in bone, was significantly increased by vitamin D. When the elements were dosed subcutaneously, however, the only effect produced by vitamin D was on magnesium, the level of which was decreased in bone.

When given orally there was considerable discrimination, relative to calcium, against beryllium and magnesium and also a smaller discrimination against strontium. Barium, however, appeared to behave like calcium. Vitamin D significantly increased discrimination against beryllium and magnesium but was without effect on strontium and barium.

When the elements were administered subcutaneously, there was also considerable discrimination against the movement of beryllium and magnesium into bone but not against strontium and barium. Vitamin D caused no change in this pattern.

The possibility is suggested that vitamin D may play a considerably broader role in mineral economy than has hitherto been recognized.

² Postdoctorate Fellow, National Research Council, Ottawa, Canada, 1960–61. Present address: Ruakura Animal Research Station, Private Bag, Hamilton, New Zealand.

Manuscript received 20 March 1961.