The effect of formulated goats' milk on calcium bioavailability in male growing rats.

Background: There are two main proteins in milk; whey and casein. Casein contains casein phosphopeptides (CPP), which are released on digestion of the milk. These may increase calcium solubility by binding calcium in the small intestine.

Cystitis, pyelonephritis, and urolithiasis in rats accidentally fed a diet deficient in vitamin A.

Female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 100; age, 3 wk) were fed diets that included a vitamin premix and either albumin or milk powder. Rats fed the albumin diet gained weight more slowly than did the other group. Between 19 and 28 wk of being fed the albumin diet, 12 rats died of bacterial cystitis and pyelonephritis.