Assessment of the influence of NaF or 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 on the proliferative bone effect of an avian osteopetrosis virus, MAV-2(O).

1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 (D3) and sodium fluoride (NaF) were given to chicken embryos and newly hatched chickens infected with a slow onset strain of avian osteopetrosis-inducing virus [MAV-2(O)] to determine if either agent influenced MAV-2(O)-induced proliferation of bone. Embryos were administered MAV-2(O) and treated with: 1) up to 240 micrograms NaF or up to 100 ng D3 as embryos; 2) up to 1.8 g NaF/kg or up to 9.5 micrograms D3/kg after hatching: or 3) 240 micrograms NaF as embryos and up to 1.8 g NaF/kg after hatching. Administration of MAV-2(O) alone resulted in expansion of the cortical diameter of bone. Coadministration of NaF or D3 with MAV-2(O) did not influence the change in cortical diameter seen with MAV-2(O) alone at 18 days of incubation, and 3 and 6 weeks after hatching. Increased osteoid relative to bone (hyperosteoidosis), with NaF and MAV-2(O) compared to MAV-2(O) alone, and NaF compared to untreated controls reflected delayed mineralization of osteoid, a known fluoride effect. We conclude that the administration of NaF or D3 did not influence the incidence, severity or time of onset of the MAV-2(O)-induced proliferative changes of bone.