Studies on the Role of Manganese in Bone Formation

Abstract

A study of the effect of manganese deficiency on the composition of chick epiphyseal cartilage revealed that this deficiency results in a severe reduction in mucopolysaccharide content. A reduction in mucopolysaccharides which contain galactosamine accounted for most of the changes observed. Further studies indicated that manganese had similar effects upon the mucopolysaccharide content of the organic matrix of other portions of the bone. The changes in mucopolysaccharides appeared to be a specific effect of manganese, since they were not related to alterations in food intake or to the choline content of the diet.