Turnover Rate and Distribution Pattern of Radiostrontium in the Skeleton of the Laying Hen. ∗ †

Abstract

Summary

Fourteen laying hens were administered 10 /μc Sr⁸⁹ each (intramuscularly), and 2 birds were killed at 12 hours, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 days, respectively. The soft tissues were cleared from the skeleton and all bones were analyzed for Sr⁸⁹ content by liquid scintillation. It was observed that all bony tissues participate in Sr⁸⁹ exchange, and that the ribs had the highest turnover rate, whereas, the skull had the lowest turnover rate. In general, it was found that bones composed primarily of spongy bone tissue turned over Sr faster than those of more compact construction.