Effect of calcium and phosphorus salts on the utilization of iron by anaemic rats

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Abstract
Groups of 10 anemic rats were fed for 10 weeks on a bread diet enriched with bone meal, calcium carbonate, disodium phosphate, and commercial sodium hexametaphosphate in amounts equivalent to 7.5 g bone meal/lb. flour. Two levels of ferrous sulfate were fed: 0 and 10 mg/lb. flour. Each of the Ca salts interfered with utilization of iron as indicated by liver iron stores, hemoglobin regeneration and increase in heart weight. The 2 phosphate salts fed apparently did not interfere with iron utilization. Results indicate that it was an increase in Ca per se rather than the magnitude of the Ca:Fe ratio or lowered Fe intake due to lower ration palatability that modified the extent of Fe use. It is postulated that saturation of the mucosal cells with Ca may block further absorption of Fe.