Citrate Lithiasis in the Rat

Abstract

Urinary lithiasis was produced in a large number of young rats by feeding them low P rations of approx. normal Ca content. The frequency of its occurrence was increased by feeding Na bicarbonate or potentially alkaline salts. It was entirely prevented by the feeding of adequate amts. of phosphate. Calculi produced on the basal ration having low P and adequate Ca consisted largely of Ca citrate, but with the feeding of additional alkali their citric acid content was reduced, their Ca content was increased, and carbonate and phosphate appeared as additional constituents.