Effect of Zinc Deficiency on Sulfur-35 and Hexosamine Metabolism in the Epiphyseal Plate and Primary Spongiosa of the Chick

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Abstract
The objective of this study was to ascertain whether or not the zinc status of the chick has an effect on sulfate-sulfur metabolism in the bone elongation region of the tibia. Studies were conducted in which 10 µCi of 35SO42- were given either orally or intraperitoneally to chicks which had been fed for 4 weeks either a zinc-deficient (14 ppm) or a zinc-sufficient (90 ppm) purified diet based upon soy protein and glucose. The zinc-sufficient chicks were divided into two groups: 1) ad libitum-fed, and 2) restricted-fed so that their average weight gain was approximately equal to that of the zinc-deficient chicks. At 6, 12, 24, 48 and 96 hours following isotope administration, five birds from each group were killed; the epiphyseal plate through the hypertrophic zone and the primary spongiosa of the tibias were removed and analyzed for 35S content. The peak 35S activity (dpm/mg fresh tissue) in those regions occurred approximately 12 hours following isotope administration by either method. Peak activity of the isotope was significantly less in the zinc-deficient chicks compared with either zinc-sufficient group. Hexosamine content per milligram fresh epiphyseal plate was not significantly altered by zinc deficiency. A significant increase in the hexosamine content of the primary spongiosa was noted under conditions of zinc deficiency. These results suggest that the metabolism of SO42-, an important constituent of mucopolysaccharide in bone elongation regions, is altered by zinc deficiency in the chick.