A study of the effects on blood clotting times with respect to vitamin d deficiency, calcium levei5 and age in rats, 1964

Effects of a vitamin D free diet, sodium iodoacetate and potassium iodoacetate on the clotting time were investigated in the rat. The results of this investigation indicated that the blod clotting time of the rat will decrease with age unless altered by chemical or other means. This was clearly indicated throughout the duration of the experiment. The results of the vitamin D free diet in this experiment are similar to those of Schacheter jat al., (i960), who stated that the calcium level in the rat is dependent on the dietary vitamin D and on the age of the rat. The vitamin D free diet reduced considerably the amount of vitamin D in the rat and because of this depletion of vitamin D the calcium level of the experimental rats was lower, as indicated by the blood clotting time. The results of the investigation indicated, however, that even though the rats were on a vitamin D free diet, the calcium level would still increase with age. Recovery from vitamin D deficiency occurred within two to three days. Sodium iodoacetate appears to have similar effects as dietary vitamin D deficiency. The concentration of the sodium salt did not yield results as pronounced as those of the vitamin D free diet, however, it has some effect at the site of injection. The Potassium salt of iodoacetic acid appeared to have similar action as that of the vitamin D free diet and that of the sodium salt. According to the findings of the experiment, the potassium has a less effect on the blood clotting time than that of the diet and that of sodium iodoacetate