Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of either sheep or cow milk supplementation to a low calcium and phosphorus diet on growth and organ mineral distribution in weanling rats. Rats were fed diets consisting of either a control chow, a 50% reduced calcium and phosphorous chow (low Ca/P), low Ca/P and sheep milk, or low Ca/P and cow milk diet for 28 days. Food intake of the rats, the growth rate of the rats, and the concentrations of minerals in the soft organs and serum were determined. Rats fed the low Ca/P diet alone had lower weight gain than rats consuming either of the milk-supplemented diets (p < 0.05). Both sheep milk and cow milk supplementation overcame the effects of consuming a diet restricted in calcium and phosphorus but the sheep milk was effective at a significantly lower level of milk intake (p < 0.05). Significant differences (p < 0.05) in essential and trace mineral concentrations due to milk type were observed in the kidney, spleen, and liver. For non-essential minerals, significant differences (p < 0.05), related to diet, were observed in all organs for arsenic, cesium, rubidium, and strontium concentrations.
Highlights
Mineral deficiencies during youth and adolescence impact the proper development of various anatomical systems [1,2]
The nutritional compositions of the diets provided to the rats during the feeding trial are shown in Table 2 and the specific mineral intakes for each diet group are shown in Table 3
The protein used in rodent diets was from several sources including egg albumin, goat milk, cow milk (CM), and beef protein [22,23,24]
Summary
Mineral deficiencies during youth and adolescence (up to the age of 25) impact the proper development of various anatomical systems (bones, soft organs etc.) [1,2]. Chronic low-level mineral deficiencies result in short term symptoms (lethargy, nausea, and weakness) [3,4]. Nutrients 2020, 12, 594 to short term symptoms and ease of testing, which may not reflect the true rate in the population [5]. The long-term impact of low level Ca deficiency during critical growth phases has an impact on growth rates, especially in the context of skeletal development, often leading to a restriction in bone growth [6]
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