Influence of coprophagy prevented by partial immobilization on calcium metabolism and bone morphology in the rat

Abstract

Summary. We investigated the influence of coprophagy on the calcium metabolism of the rat. 20 experimental animals were prevented from coprophagy by wrapping them in leather harnesses and compared with 21 controls on the same food intake. Kinetics of calcium metabolism were analysed using 45Ca as tracer.The radiochemical results were compared with the histological observations in the epi-metaphyses of the knee joints.In the experimental animals prevented from coprophagy we found: 1. a highly significant lower body weight; 2. a highly significant diminution of the following parameters of calcium metabolism: compartment sizes and exchange rate between them, calcium excretion rates, bone accretion and resorption; 3. a narrower epiphyseal growth cartilage, clearly shorter and narrower primary trabeculae, rarefied secondary metaphyseal trabeculae.Histological alterations identical to those observed with coprophagy prevented, were found in 4 animals kept in harnesses but with coprophagy allowed.It is concluded that prevention of coprophagy has no measurable influence on the parameters of calcium metabolism.