Observations on the inorganic phosphate of blood in experimental rickets of rats

Abstract

The work of Howland and Kramer1 on the level of the inorganic phosphate in the blood in human rickets, and some confirmatory experiments undertaken by Hess1 led to the conclusion that during the period of active rickets in children, the inorganic phosphate of the blood is reduced, and that during the process of cure by either sunlight or cod-liver oil, the phosphate rises again to its normal level.Since the experimental rickets produced in rats is comparable in most important respects to human rickets, it was thought of interest to determine whether the same changes in blood phosphate could be demonstrated in rats. In applying the work of Howland and Kramer to experimental rat rickets, we have obtained results which on the whole agree very well with those of theirs reported at a recent meeting of the Society of Biological Chemists.Because of the small quantities of blood which can be obtained from the animals, it seemed advisable to make the determinations on whole blood rather than plasma if possible. Ex...