Original scientific paper
The Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Calcium Salts on Skeletal Calcium in Suckling Rats
Veda Marija Varnai
Marija Šarić
Gordana Mokrović
Martina Piasek
Maja Blanuša
Jasminka Buljan Culej
Marijana Matek Sarić
Krista Kostial
Abstract
This study aimed at identifying a calcium compound which could serve as an effective and safe dietary supplement in suckling rats over the period of intense growth and development. The main objective was to assess the effect of additional calcium intake on skeletal calcium in suckling pups. Suckling Wistar rats were fed using a pipettor with one of the following calcium salts from day 6 to 14 after the birth: gluconate, hydrogenphosphate, carbonate (each suspended in cow’s milk), or chloride (in demineralised water). Control rats received only cow’s milk. Calcium in the carcass (body without organs and skin) was analysed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The only effective dietary supplement that produced no risk for the suckling pups’ growth was calcium hydrogenphosphate in cow’s milk in the total amount of 340 mg. That dose increased the daily calcium intake 3 to 4 times compared to non-supplemented controls, increasing carcass calcium content by about 16 per cent. Other calcium compounds were either inefficient (carbonate) or had adverse effects on pups’ growth (chloride and gluconate).
Keywords
calcium carbonate; calcium chloride; calcium gluconate; calcium hydrogenphosphate; calcium in bone; suckling period
Hrčak ID:
360
URI
Publication date:
25.11.2003.
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