The effects of diets deficient in phosphorus, phosphorus and vitamin D, or calcium, on the skeleton and teeth of the growing sheep IV. The uptake of radioactive phosphorus by the bones and teeth

Abstract

1. Radioactive phosphorus was injected into young sheep that had been fed diets low in either phosphorus, phosphorus and vitamin D or calcium. Forty-eight hours after the injection the animals were killed and samples of bone and teeth were removed for specific activity determinations.2. The specific activities of bone varied according to the site from which it was taken, but in general a strong inverse relationship was found between specific activity and the quality of the skeleton.3. In teeth that were formed during the period the diets deficient in phosphorus or phosphorus and vitamin D were fed, the specific activities of the dentine and enamel were greater than for corresponding tissues from the control animals.