Effect of sheep bone protein hydrolysate on promoting calcium absorption and enhancing bone quality in low-calcium diet fed rats

[Display omitted] •SBPHs + CaCl2 treatment increased bone calcium levels and bone density.•SBPHs +CaCl2 treatment can change the bone turnover markers level in serum.•SBPHs+CaCl2 treatment can increase bone biomechanics and improve bone microarchitecture.•SBPHs+CaCl2 intervention alters the composition of the gut microbiota.•SBPHs+CaCl2 intervention promotes short-chain fatty acid production. Calcium deficiency is prone to fractures, osteoporosis and other symptoms. In this study, sheep bone protein hydrolysates (SBPHs) were obtained by protease hydrolysis. A low-calcium-diet-induced calcium-deficiency rat model was established to investigate the effects of SBPHs on calcium absorption and intestinal flora composition. The results showed that an SBPHs + CaCl2 treatment significantly increased the bone calcium content, bone mineral density, trabecular bone volume, and trabecular thickness, and reduced trabecular separation, and changed the level of bone turnover markers (P