Effect of calcium deprivation on rat dams on fetuses and newborn offspring.

Calcium-deficient rats were put to breeding, and fetuses and offsprings were collected at 18 days in utero, at birth, and at 5-10 days post partum. Furthermore, blood and milk were collected from the dams, and blood from the offsprings. The rat pups had normal weights at 18 days in utero and at birth, whereas at 5-10 days post partum the growth was significantly reduced. The relative amount of total solids in the body was also decreased at 5 and 10 days post partum (increased water content). Despite the fact that serum Ca in the dams was severely reduced, the calcium content in the serum of the offspring was only moderately lowered, and there was no correlation between serum Ca in dams and offspring. The content of total solids in the rat milk was increased, whereas the calcium content remained unchanged. The body content of Ca and P in the rat pups was decreased only at 5 and 10 days post partum. The degree of reduction was nearly the same for all these elements, amounting to 15-19% at 5 days post partum and 38-40% at 10 days post partum. If, however, the content of the elements was calculated as percentage of total body solids, a significant increase was found for all of them at 5 and 10 days post partum. Significant differences in Ca:P ratios were not found at any age.