Histological observations on the failure of rachitic rat bones to respond to 1,25/OH)2D3

Rachitic rats, maintained on diets with low or normal P contents, were given daily intraperitoneal doses of 1,25(OH)2D3 or 25OHD3 at levels of 100 or 200 ng. Plasma chemistry was measured and the ash content and histological appearance of the bones investigated. Using labeled material it was shown that the dosing levels of 1,25(OH)2D3 employed ensured a higher than normal plasma concentration of that metabolite over the period between doses. 1,25(OH)2D3 was not effective as 25OHD3 in raising bone ash or reducing the amount of osteoid. The difference between the effects of the metabolites was evident at both dietary P levels, but more marked at the higher P level. In contrast, the metabolites reduced the width of the epiphyseal plate to an approximately similar degree, and this is possibly the reason why there are discrepancies between previous reports of the effectiveness of 1,25(OH)2D3 compared with 25OHD3 or vitamin D3. Dosing with 1,25(OH)2D3 failed to maintain a constant plasma Pi value over the period between doses in animals fed the low P diet.