THE EFFECT OF A SYNTHETIC ANALOGUE OF PYROPHOSPHATE ON CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM AND PHOSPHORUS HOMEOSTASIS IN SHEEP

Three female sheep were daily administered a pyrophosphate analogue, disodium 1-hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-bisphosphonate (HEBP) at the level of 4 mg/kg body weight. HEBP largely suppressed bone resorption, which was indicated by the reduction in plasma free hydroxyproline concentration and in calcium mobilization rate during the intravenous infusion of disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA). Contrary to the suppression of bone resorption, plasma total-calcium, magnesium and phosphorus concentrations were not changed by HEBP administration. These results suggest that bone mineral crystals play a meaningless role on calcium, magnesium and phosphorus homeostasis in ruminants if they are fed adequate amounts of these minerals. Plasma magnesium and phosphorus concentrations were not significantly changed after feeding. However, plasma total-calcium was decreased after feeding in both periods and the reduction seemed to be remarkable in the HEBP-treated period. Infusion of EDTA more remarkably reduced plasma ionized calcium concentration in the HEBP-treated that in the untreated period and the recovery of ionized calcium was retarded by HEBP administration. These results suggest that calcium release from bone is necessary for maintenance of plasma calcium when animals rapidly lose calcium.