Calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the grey-lethal mouse

Abstract

Ca and P metabolism in the grey-lethal mutant mouse has been investigated. This animal is hypocalcaemic and hypophosphataemic and the serum alkaline phosphatase is elevated far above the normal. Increased bone ash content has been attributed to an elevated bone Ca. From in vitro experiments involving steady-state distributions of calcium and phosphate it is concluded that active bone metabolism is reduced in mutant bone. This reduced ratio may be attributed to an increased passive ion solubility.These results tend to the assumption of an hormonal imbalance in this mutant system. An increased production of thyrocalcitonin has been postulated to account for these findings.