EFFECT OF A DIET POOR IN SALTS UPON THE GROWTH AND COMPOSITION OF THE INCISORS OF THE RAT

Abstract

Rats 35 days old (100 gm.) fed a diet in which the limiting factor was lack of mineral salts, showed marked restriction of somatic growth. The fresh wt. of the incisors was affected less than one would expect judging from the general effect of body wt. During the 12 wks. on the low-salt regime the moisture increased relatively and absolutely and the ash decreased relatively in the incisors. The changes in composition reported are completely compensated by re-feeding the same diet in which 4% adequate mineral salt mixture has been incorporated, although with the longest salt deficiency period (12 wks.) the fresh wt. of the incisors never returned to control values. The ash of the incisors is relatively stable compared to that of the bones; ash is deposited in the growing incisors while it is withdrawn from the bones, under the adverse dietary conditions used in these exps.