Variations in serum calcium between strains of inbred mice

Serum calcium concentrations of C3H/Fg, C3H/HeJFg, AKR/Fg, A/Fg, and LCS/Fg mice were compared at 4 and 7 mo of age. In the C3H/Fg and A-strain mice, calcium levels did not differ significantly between the 2 strains nor between the 2 age groups. The C3H/HeJFg, LCS/Fg, and C57BL/Fg strains formed a distinct group with similar calcium levels, but at a significantly higher level than C3H/Fg and A/Fg group. Again there was no significant difference between the 4- and 7-mo groups. The AKR/Fg strain was distinct from both groups in that higher calcium levels characteristic of the second group (C3H/HeJFg, LCS/Fg, and C57BL/Fg, were seen at 4 mo of age, but lower calcium levels similar to those of the C3H/Fg and A/Fg strains were found at 7 mo of age.