PubMed1982
Calcemia and calcium content of femuri has been determined in 88 female adult Wistar rats, distributed in four groups: Group A was given a normocalcic diet, group B a hypocalcic diet and groups C and D were also given the same hypocalcic diet, but at the same time were administered DHT and vitamin D (CC) respectively (15 mcg 3 times weekly). They were all killed 21 days after having been with a male for 24 hours; four rats were pregnant in each group A, B and C with a total offspring of 26, 22 and 35 fetuses respectively. Three pregnant rats in group C, gave 19 fetuses. Rats on hypocalcic diet showed a lower bone calcium content referred to 100 mg as weight, in comparison with those on a normocalcic diet (F = 5.51; p less than 0.01). Administration of CC or DTH did not hinder bone calcium depletion, which was more noticeable in pregnant rats (p less than 0.05). Concerning to calcemia, no differences existed between pregnant and non pregnant rats, there was a significant lowering of calcemia (F = 14.3; p less than 0.01) in rats on the hypocalcic diet (group B), but when administration of vitamin D (group D) and DHT (group C) was done, calcemia remained respectively equal and higher (p less than 0.001) by comparison to group A. Total calcium content in the ashed fetuses was similar in all groups. Fetuses acted as parasites of their mothers in respect to quantities of calcium deposited in them.