Bone Mineralization during a Developing Zinc Deficiency

Abstract

Alterations in bone mineralization were examined during the progression of a Zn deficiency in rats. One hundred rats were divided into 3 groups and fed the following diets: Zn sufficient, ad lib; Zn deficient, ad lib and Zn sufficient, pair-fed the daily intake of the deficient group. Plasma Zn concentration of the Zn-deficient group decreased dramatically during the first 24 h of deficient diet and continued to decline over the next 2 days. Body weight gain essentially stopped after 1 wk. During the experimental period of 23 days, femur Zn concentration decreased 61%, while total femur Zn decreased 37%. Both the total and concentration of Ca and P increased and the Ca:P ratio remained relatively constant. Zn can be released from bone during periods of dietary Zn deficiency. The decrease in Zn appears to be independent from Ca and P in the bone.