Effects of serum calcium and phosphorus on skeletal mineralization in vitamin D-deficient rats

In the present study, we have evaluated the role of calcium and phosphorus concentrations in serum on the mineralization of bone in the absence of vitamin D. This was accomplished by feeding mother rats and subsequently their pups vitamin D-deficient diets varying in calcium, phosphorus, and lactose content. After 5-7 wk on these diets, serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] were undetectable. Rats fed a vitamin D-deficient diet containing 0.44% calcium and 0.3% phosphorus showed a serum calcium of 4.9-5.9 mg/dl and a serum phosphorus of 7.3-8.2 mg/dl; rickets (wide epiphysial plates) had developed as well as osteomalacia (wide osteoid seams). Rats maintained on a vitamin D-deficient diet containing 3% calcium and 0.65% phosphorus had normal serum calcium, low serum phosphorus, and severe rickets, but osteomalacia was not seen. Rats fed a diet containing 20% lactose, 4% calcium, and 1% phosphorus showed normal serum calcium, somewhat low serum phosphorus, normal serum PTH, normal width of the epiphysial plate, normal volume density of trabecular bone, and normal volume density of osteoid seams. These data confirm the findings of others, using a different experimental model, that serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations are the determining factors in mineralization defects and not the absence of 25(OH)D or 1,25(OH)2D. In these rats thyroparathyroidectomy is well tolerated, which makes for an ideal model for the study of the effects of calcium-regulating hormones on bone histology, cytology, and biochemistry.