Behavioral and tissue responses to severe phosphorus depletion in cattle

Two-year-old Aberdeen Angus heifers were depleted of phosphorus (P) by loss of phosphate in saliva from a parotid gland fistula combined with a low-P diet. The inorganic phosphate concentrations (Pi) of plasma, parotid saliva, ruminal fluid, and feces were reduced, but cerebrospinal fluid Pi was unaltered. Plasma Pi fell to less than 1.0 mM in 12 wk, and the cows displayed an avid appetite for old bones. P-deficient cows preferred old weathered bones to fresh bones until the latter had aged for approximately 1.5 yr. They did not eat blood, peritoneal fat, or meat, fresh or aged for 2-3 yr. They did not eat Na or Ca phosphate salts or bone heated to greater than 250 degrees C. P-replete cows did not take or eat bones. The behavioral effects of P deficiency were associated with failure to gain body weight and maintain condition, significant bone changes indicated by reduced bone weight and specific gravity, osteopenia indicated by radiology, evidence of reduced bone formation indicated by plasma osteocalcin levels and histology, and abnormal estrous cycles. Prolonged P deficiency was associated with increased plasma concentrations of total Ca and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and reduced plasma concentrations of parathyroid hormone.