MEDULLARY BONE OF LAYING HENS DURING CALCIUM DEPLETION AND REPLETION

Bone cell activity and the composition of the femur of laying hens were studied during 7 days of calcium depletion on a 0.13% calcium diet and 7 days of calcium repletion on a 3.2% calcium diet. Histologically, only cortical bone showed clear signs of bone resorption and osteoclastic activity during the depletion period. The number of osteoclasts in medullary bone varied little from control values throughout both calcium depletion and repletion, except for a significant increase on the first day of depletion. The major histologicalchange in medullary bone was a marked increase in the number of osteoblasts on the third, fifth and, to a lesser extent, seventh, day of depletion. The number of osteoblasts in medullary bone was positively correlated with its osteoid content and negatively correlated with its degree of calcification. Alkaline phosphatase activity of medullary bone increased with the time the hens had been on the calcium-deficient diet. Returning the hens to the 3.2% calcium ration caused, within one day, a significant increase in medullary bone calcification, a decrease of osteoblast numbers to, or below, control levels, and a drastic reduction in alkaline phosphatase activity of medullary bone. The significance of these findings in relation to the control of bone cell populations and the functions of medullary bone is discussed. © 1969 Springer-Verlag.