Role of calcium and fluoride in osteoporosis in rhesus monkeys

The authors studied the effect of fluoride on bone metabolism in rhesus monkeys with varying dietary intake of calcium fluoride. Thirty-one female rhesus monkeys, about two years of age, were divided into four subgroups and were fed purified diets containing varying levels of calcium and fluoride for a period of 60 months. Six animals (group I) constituted the normal controls. Groups I and II received about 2 grams of calcium per day which is currently accepted adequate for rhesus monkeys; groups III and IV were given only 0.3 grams of calcium per day. Radiographs of skulls, vertebral column and limbs were taken every three months. After 48 months on the diet, bone mineral was analyzed by photon absorptiometry with a 125I point source on the cortical bone of the left arm at the midpoint of the shaft of the radius and ulna. A positive linear correlation of 0.67 was obtained between fluoride concentration and age and the coefficient of determination was 45%. Thus, this study demonstrates a significant correlation between bone fluoride and plasma fluoride levels with age