Retention of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium by the developing sheep foetus

Abstract

1. Data on the fresh weight, mineral and fat composition of foetuses from Border Leicester / Cheviot ewes were obtained for seven singletons, fourteen sets of twins and four sets of triplets. The age of the foetuses ranged from 80 to 144 days. The foetuses were dissolved individually in concentrated nitric acid and the mineral composition of the resultant solution determined.