The Difference in Chemical Composition of the Skeletons of Young Rats Fed (1) on Diets deprived of Fat-Soluble Vitamins and (2) on a Low Phosphorus Rachitic Diet, compared with those of Normally Nourished Animals of the Same Age

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Abstract
The chemical composition of bones of rats showing osteoporosis induced by a diet satisfactory except in fat-soluble vitamins is characterized by (1) higher proportion of fat than in controls, (2) lower ash, (3) normal proportion of organic matter, and (4) ratio of ash : organic matter of 0.9-1.2 as compared with a normal value of about 1.5. The chemical composition of bones in rickets brought about by feeding McCollum''s low P rickets-producing diet 3143, is characterized by (1) ash content much below normal, (2) high water content, (3) slightly increased proportion of fat and of organic material, and (4) a very low ash : organic matter ratio, viz., 0.4-0.8 as compared with 1.0, the value found for bones of rats on the same diet with a supplement of cod liver oil. These results indicate the danger of using Ca content of bones as a criterion of osteoporosis. It is concluded that if chemical examination is used in the diagnosis of rickets, the best criterion of defective calcification is the ratio of ash to organic material contained in the fat-extracted bone.