Barium content of teeth, bone and kidney of twin sheep raised on pastures of differing barium content

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Abstract Twin male lambs were used in an experiment to determine if micro-element differences in soils and ryegrass-clover pastures would be reproduced in the composition of soft tissues, bones and teeth. A substantial difference in barium in pasture, approximately sixfold, is reflected in barium contents of kidney, bone, whole crowns, dentine and enamel of twin animals raised on these pastures. The dietary difference in barium is sustained most strikingly in barium contents of bone, crowns, dentine, and enamel, and it is suggested that this element merits further investigation for a possible role in dental health.