title: Effect of zinc on bone metabolism in fetal mouse limb culture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of zinc-deficiency and zinc-excess on bone metabolism.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed the culture model of fetal mouse limbs (16th day) cultivated in self-made rotator with continuing flow of mixed gas for six days in vitro. The cultured limbs were examined by the techniques of 45Ca tracer and X-roentgenography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The right limbs cultivated had longer bone length, higher bone density than the left limbs uncultivated from the same embryo; and histologically, the right limbs had active bone cell differentiation, proliferation, increased bone trabecula, clearly calcified cartilage matrix, and osteogenic tissue. Compared with the control group, the zinc-deficient group and zinc-excess (Zn2+ 120 mumol/L) group contained less osteocalcin (BGP) and 45Ca content, and lower AKP activity; whereas zinc-normal (Zn2+ 45 mumol/L and Zn2+ 70 mumol/L) groups contained more BGP and 45Ca contents, and higher AKP (alkaline phosphatase) activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both zinc-deficiency and zinc-excess can alter bone growth and normal metabolism. The results indicate that the culture model of fetal mouse limbs (16th day) in vitro can be used as a research model of bone growth and development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Huaxi School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zeng-Li
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Yu
mesh_terms: D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002356:Cartilage / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice / Q000196:embryology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015032:Zinc / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000172:deficiency*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D015032:Zinc; D002118:Calcium