Rat was used as animal model for evaluating the effects of different chemical forms of calcium(Ca) and commercial
fortified Ca products on improving Ca status.One hundred and eight three weeks weaning Wistar rats were selected,half male and female. After three weeks feeding with Ca deficient diet,the rats were randomly divided into nine groups by body weight,consuming a Ca deficient diet,or diets
supplemented with Ca carbonate,caltrate D(Ca carbonate+vitamn D),Chinese herbs fortified with vitamin D,active Ca tablets,bone meals,active Ca beverage,lactate Ca beverage,and acetate Ca beverage respectively at the level of 3 000mg Ca per kg feed for 12 weeks. The results showed that the final body weight and length in all groups supplemented with Ca were significantly higher than that of the deficient group.Ca concentrations in plasma,erythrocytes and liver of rats supplemented with Ca were significantly higher than that of control group,whereas there were no significantly differences among all the supplemented groups.Most of
commercial fortified Ca products could not markedly increase Ca retention in kidneys of male rats except active Ca tablets.The addition of Ca had very significant effect on increasing Ca retention in kidney of female rats.The supplementation of Ca can significantly increase bone mineral content in rat femur. Among the commercial fortified Ca products acetate Ca beverage and active Ca products are not so as the other commercial fortified Ca products for increasing bone mineral content. Based on the ratio of efficiency to price, Ca carbonate is still a good source for increasing Ca intake at present.