[Study of the effects of zinc on bone development applying fetal mouse limbs culture]

The effects of zinc on bone metabolism is explored. A home-made rotating apparatus is used to cultivate fetal mouse front limbs at 16-day gestational age. The activity of alkaline phosphatase(AKP) and histological silce are used to analyze the effects of zinc on bone metabolism. Compared with the control group, the zinc deprived group and Zn2+ 120 mumol/L group have a lower alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity and the contracted chromatin, membrane rupture and matrix loss are observed in bone cells. The zinc adequate group(Zn2+ concentration are 45 mumol/L and Zn2+ 70 mumol/L respectively) has a higher alkaline phosphatase(AKP) activity, more active bone generation, deeper stain of bone matrix and increased bone trabecula. It is concluded that zinc could affected the bone metabolism and growth; both zinc-deficiency and zinc-excess could alter growth and bone metabolism.