DETERMINATION OF CALCIUM, PHOSPHORUS, AND MAGNESIUM VALUES IN RIB BONES FROM CLINICALLY NORMAL CATTLE

Mean phosphorus (P) content in bovine rib bone was 102.9, 108.3, and 1 82.7 mg/g of bone on fresh, dry, and ash weight bases, respectively. V alues for calcium (Ca) were 194.3, 203.7, and 344.6 mg/g, respectively , and for magnesium (Mg) were 5.3, 5.5, and 9.4 mg/g, respectively. Me an percentage of ash in rib bone was 59.12%. Expected concentrations o f Ca, P, and Mg were determined on fresh, dry, and ash weight bases an d for 3 age groups, 3 breeds, and bulls, females, and steers. On an as h weight basis, cattle 6 to 18 months old had 185.74 mg of P/g, 372.52 mg of Ca/g, and 12.37 mg of Mg/g. Those 19 to 36 months old had 182.0 2 mg cf P/g, 322.35 mg of P/g, and 8.09 mg of Mg/g. Those > 36 months old had 174.80 mg of P/g, 340.36 mg of Ca/g, and 6.62 mg of Mg/g. Stee rs had 183.93 mg of P/g, 352.73 mg of Ca/g, and 10.15 mg of Mg/g. Fema les had 178.47 mg of P/g, 320.28 mg of Ca/g, and 6.5 mg of Mg/g Males had 176.15 mg of P/g, all on an ash weight basis. Dairy breeds were fo und to have 186.08 mg of P/g, 351.25 mg of Ca/g, and 10.47 ng of Mg/g. Cattle of mixed breeding had 177.42 mg of P/g, 341.28 mg of Ca/g, and 6.54 mg of Mg/g. The Africander breed of beef cattle had 167.07 mg of P/g, all on an ash weight basis.