Magnesium, calcium and zinc levels of maternal and fetal tissues in magnesium deficient rats.

The interaction of magnesium with two other mineral elements, calcium and zinc, was studied in maternal tissues and fetuses of pregnant rats fed a magnesium deficient diet throughout gestation. Reduction in maternal femur magnesium and a trend for increased kidney calcium reflected the dietary magnesium deficiency. In fetuses, however, total magnesium content was reduced and , in addition, fetal zinc content was also lower than normal in the group most severly deficient in magnesium. The possible interpretation of this magnesium-zinc interaction is discussed.