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Title: Measurement of calcium and phosphorus fluxes during lactation in the rat

Journal Article · · J. Nutr.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6075621

Novel, two-compartment metabolic cages for rats were constructed to examine Ca and P fluxes during lactation. Four consecutive balance studies of 4 d each were performed in lactating rats and nonlactating controls. Lactating rats had dramatically higher intestinal absorptions of Ca and P resulting from both increased food consumption and elevated fractional absorptions of these elements. Urinary Ca excretion was reduced during lactation whereas urinary P excretion was unchanged. Endogenous fecal Ca excretion (determined by infusing /sup 45/Ca and dividing fecal /sup 45/Ca content by urinary /sup 45/Ca specific activity) was similar in lactating and nonlactating rats. In a separate study, pup retention of ingested Ca averaged 96%. Therefore, the difference in pup carcass Ca content between d 1 and 17 of age is assumed to equal 96% of the Ca transfer rate into milk. Similar calculations were applied to P. Milk transfer rates were determined to be 126 and 99 mg/d for Ca and P, respectively. These calculations indicate that 19% of the Ca transferred to milk was derived from the maternal skeleton with the maternal diet supplying the remaining Ca. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of the alterations in Ca and P fluxes that occur during lactation in the rat.

Research Organization:
Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center, Chicago, IL (USA)
OSTI ID:
6075621
Journal Information:
J. Nutr.; (United States), Vol. 119:3
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English