Effect of Low-Calcium Rickets on Dentin and Bones in Guinea Pigs Treated with Large or Small Doses of Vitamin C

¹ School of Dentistry, Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio

1. Rachitic changes in the dentin and bones have been studied in 32 guinea pigs that had initial body weights of 145 to 359 Gm.

2. In the majority of guinea pigs, maintained on a rachitogenic diet with the addition of large doses of vitamin C, changes typical of rickets developed in the dentin and bones.

3. In guinea pigs placed on a rachitogenic diet, with the addition of small doses of vitamin C, typical rachitic changes did not appear in the dentin or in bones.

4. A pronounced reduction of osteoblastic activity and of hemopoiesis occurred in guinea pigs on a combined rachitogenic and scorbutogenic regime.

5. "Gerüstmark" develops either due to the incapacity of mesenchymal tissue to differentiate into osteoblasts or to a de-differentiation of osteoblasts.