Abstract
This study explored the effects of dietary calcium levels and/or ovariectomy on bone formation, bone composition and calcium metabolism using female Sprague-Dawley weanling rats(mean body weight$\pm$SEM : 232.3$\pm$6.7g) as a model. Rats received high(1.5%) calcium diets for eight weeks during the growth period and were randomly assigned to ovariectomy and sham groups. The two groups were than each randomly divided into three sub-groups and fed 0.1%, 0.5% and 1.5% calcium diets for eight weeks after operation. The results indicate that body weight gain was higher in ovariectomy groups than sham groups regardless of dietary calcium levels and food intakes. Serum Ca concentration was decreased in low Ca groups after operation and serum P concentration increased in ovariectomy groups. Serum Ca concentration was decreased in low Ca groups after operation and serum P concentration increased in ovariectomy groups. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity was increased in ovariectomy groups and was not influenced by dietary calcium levels after operation. Urinary hydroxyproline decreased in high Ca intake groups regardless of whether rats had received an ovariectomy or not. The weight, length and breaking force of the femur were not significantly different in all groups. Ash, calcium, phosphate and magnesium contents in the femur and lumbar were not significantly different regardless of ovariectomy operation and dietary calcium levels. But high/normal calcium intake after ovariectomy and sham operation increased the weight and calcium content in bone. Therefore, high calcium intake influenced the formation of peak bone mass during the growth period and calcium levels and calcium levels and calcium levels continued to influence bone growth and composition after ovariectomy.