Strontium-90 accumulation in fowl and its migration into egg following chromic intake with forage

Accumulation of strontium-90 in different organs of hens and its transfer ot eggs have been studied at chronic feeding with the isotope. The feed consisted of potato and wheat grown on plots artificially contaminated with strontium-90. The duration of the experiment is 30 days during which the hens lay 35 eggs. Strontium-90 and calcium are determined in the femur, shoulder, breastbone, skull, rib, vertebrae, and muscles. Determination errors do not exceed 10 and 5% for the isotope and calcium respectively. Concentration of stronium-90 and calcium in different bones and in muscles of laying hens and roosters after a month's feeding with the isotope presented. The isotope concentration in bones of hens 3 to 4 times higher than in bones of roosters while the muscle concentration is similar in both cases. The higher content of strontium-90 per g of bone tissue calcium in hens can be explained by a higher level of calcium metabolism during the laying period. Data on strontium-90 and calcium concentration in eggs are also presented. The bulk of the isotope accumulates in the eggshell (96.4%). One egg contains an average of 31% of the daily strontium intake