The Effect of the Supplementation of a Diet Low in Calcium and Phosphorus with Either Sheep Milk or Cow Milk on the Physical and Mechanical Characteristics of Bone using A Rat Model

Abstract

This study assessed the effect of cow milk (CM) and sheep milk (SM) consumption on the micro-structure, mechanical function, and mineral composition of rat femora in a male weanling rat model. Male weanling rats were fed a basal diet with a 50% reduction in calcium and phosphorus content (low Ca/P-diet) supplemented with either SM or CM. Rats were fed for 28 days, after which the femora were harvested and stored. The femora were analyzed by μ-CT, three-point bending, and inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The addition of either milk to the low Ca/P-diet significantly increased (p < 0.05) trabecular bone volume, trabecular bone surface density, trabecular number, cortical bone volume, and maximum force, when compared to rats that consumed only the low Ca/P-diet. The consumption of either milk resulted in a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in trabecular pattern factor, and cortical bone surface to volume ratio when compared to rats that consumed only the low Ca/P-diet. The results were achieved with a lower consumption of SM compared to that of CM (p < 0.05). This work indicates that SM and CM can help overcome the effects on bone of a restriction in calcium and phosphorus intake.

New insights into dairy management and the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis: The shift from single nutrient to dairy matrix effects—A review

“…Milk provides calcium and phosphorus in a reasonable ratio of 1.3:1. Burrow et al (2020) reported that animal experiments have shown a significant increase in trabecular bone volume and BMD in rats when cow's milk is supplemented with a calcium-phosphorus-deficient diet (50% reduction in calcium and phosphorus). This suggests that milk may help to counteract the negative effects of insufficient calcium-phosphorus intake on bone health.…”

Non-Bovine Milk: Sources and Future Prospects

“…The consumption of sheep milk by rats fed a diet restricted in calcium and phosphorous contents was found to increase the levels of calcium, phosphorous, and strontium in the bones of the rats, and thereby it has a good prospect of maintaining bone health in diets low calcium and phosphorous [17].…”