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Calcium metabolism and the laying hen
Author(s) -
Taylor T. G.
Publication year - 1963
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2740140902
Subject(s) - calcium , medicine , endocrinology , calcium metabolism , chemistry , metabolism , urine , phosphorus , isotopes of calcium , biology , organic chemistry
The rate at which calcium is removed from the blood during egg shell formation (100–150 mg./h.) is greater than the mean rate of calcium absorption from the food, and the balance is made good by mobilisation of skeletal reserves. The phosphorus liberated simultaneously is largely excreted in the urine. Occasionally the skeletons of laying birds suffer excessive depletion resulting in an osteoporotic condition accompanied by paralysis. Experiments suggest that this condition, known as ‘layers' cramp’, is caused by a failure of a physiological mechanism whereby the rate of gonadotrophin secretion by the anterior pituitary is reduced when skeletal depletion becomes excessive.