The effect of deficiencies of manganese and copper on osteoinduction and on resorption of bone particles in rats

Subcutaneous implantation of devitalized demineralized bone powers (DBP) and mineral-containing bone particles (BP) into rats raised on either a control (C), low manganese and low copper (L), or manganese-deplete (D) diet, allowed the separate evaluation of bone formation and of bone resorption, respectively. DBP failed to induce chondrogenesis or osteogenesis in D rats. Cartilage formation was delayed in the L rats compared to C rats. There was significantly less resorption of BP by L and D rats than C rats. These results show multiple cellular effects of long-term manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu) deficiencies on bone metabolism including decreased osteogenesis and a decrease in osteoclast activity.