title: The effect of dietary supplementation with calcium salts on skeletal calcium in suckling rats.
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 demineralized 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).
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia. vvarnai@imi.hr
authors.forename: Veda Marija
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Varnai
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sarić
authors.forename: Gordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mokrović
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piasek
authors.forename: Maja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blanusa
authors.forename: Jasminka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Buljan Culej
authors.forename: Marijana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Matek Sarić
authors.forename: Krista
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kostial
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D017610:Calcium Compounds; D002118:Calcium