Effects of Magnesium-Deficient Diet Upon Puppies

¹ From the Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, and the Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

Diet-induced magnesium deficiency in male puppies resulted in lowered weight gain, hy perirritability, and convulsions. The histopathological changes consisted of calcification of the elastica and media of the aorta, of coronary and other peripheral arteries, and of the inner portion of the myocardium. Fibrous, virtually fat-free, plaques were seen in the coronary arteries. Magnesium deficiency had no effect on serum cholesterol, sodium, calcium, ortotal protein. Slight lowering of serum magnesium lacked statistical significance. There was a significant decrease in the serum-potassium concentration of these magnesium-deficient dogs. Electrocardiographic changes were noted.