The physiological effects of dietary boron on growth performance and bone strength in female rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Biochemistry and Nutrition Department, Faculty of Girls, Ain Shams University

Abstract

The trace element boron (B) is essential for animals and humans as well as plants. It
is required for bone, mineral metabolism and has a physiological role in animal
nutrition. The extent and nature of possible physiological effects or potential risks of
boron in animals and humans are still at primary stage and require further
investigations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary boron
supplementation as sodium tetraborate (0, 5, 10,15,20,25.30, and 35 mgB/100 g diet)
on growth performance, bone ash content, and bone strength in adult female albino
rats. The results indicated that, boron supplementation affected body weight gain,
femur and tibia bone weight, density, mechanical properties ( moment of inertia and
stress) , total lipids, and minerals ash content (calcium, inorganic phosphorous,
magnesium, and copper). On the other hand, different experimental doses of boron
did not have any effect on food intake, femur and tibia bone length, mineral ash
content of zinc, and bending moment of tibia bone. In addition, the results revealed
that, a statistical significant increase was observed in mean values of femur bending
moment in the experimental rat groups fed on diets containing high doses of boron as
sodium borate. These results suggest that physiologic amounts of boron may have
beneficial effects upon bone minerals metabolism and, consequently, bone
characteristics.

Keywords

Bulletin of Egyptian Society for Physiological Sciences
Volume 26, Issue 2
December 2006
Pages 31-46

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