A silicon requirement for normal skull formation in chicks
1980
Carlisle, Edith M.
Chicks fed a silicon-deficient diet showed a deficient collagen content in the connective tissue matrix resulting in abnormal skull formation. The findings also support an earlier view that silicon is involved in an early stage of bone formation. Pathological examination of the skulls showed a narrower frontal area and depressed dorsal median line at the frontal parietal junction with both posterior and lateral narrowing. The result was a stunted parietal, occipital, and temporal bone area. X-ray and histological examination showed less trabeculae and calcification. A significantly reduced collagen content in the skull frontal bones was found by biochemical analysis. This effect of silicon on collagen formation is supported by in vitro laboratory studies, and is considered more important than effects on bone mineralization in making the matrix more calcifiable.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by National Agricultural Library