The manganese and copper of chick bone

Both manganese and copper are known to influence the metabolism of bone in the chick (Wilgus, Norris & Heuser, 1937; Gallagher, 1957), as well as in other species (Underwood, 1962), but very little is known regarding their distribution and mode of action in bone, nor is it known whether the amounts present can be mobilized in times of dietary shortage. The object of the work now described was to study variations in the Mn and Cu contents of bone and to ascertain their relationship with the mineral and organic components. Earlier, Fore & Morton (1952) had reported on the distribution of Mn in the ox femur.