Experimental Osteoporosis and Parathyroid Activity

Abstract

Adult cats fed a low-Ca diet developed osteoporosis. Control cats fed this same diet with added Ca or cats with their parathyroids removed did not develop osteoporosis. The serum Ca and P values in the low-Ca group were lower than in the controls, suggesting that the dietary Ca deficiency causes a decrease of the serum Ca level which stimulates the parathyroids, thus increasing bone resorption and producing osteoporosis. The bone changes are described and related to parathyroid activity and osteomalacia.