The effect of excessive doses of irradiated ergosterol on the calcium and phosphorus content of the blood

Abstract

In the young rat, the administration of a complete synthetic diet (normal Ca-P ratio) containing 0.1 % of irradiated ergosterol was followed by a 50 % increase of blood-inorganic phosphate and a 25% increase of serum-Ca. In adult rabbits receiving a normal mixed diet, administration of 10 mgm. per diem of irradiated ergosterol per animal was followed, after upwards of a fortnight at the normal level, by a 50% increase in the blood-inorganic phosphate. After 6 weeks there was still no significant rise in serum-Ca although abnormal deposits of Ca had already appeared in the body.