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Nephrocalcinosis is an intratubular deposition of calcium phosphate in the corticomedullary junction of the kidney. The high incidence of spontaneously occuring nephrocalcinosis in rodents, especially in female, has been frequently reported. These are little information on the mechanisms of the nephrocalcinosis observed in young female mice or rats. The female mice or rats had renal mineralization that have been reported primarily at the junction of inner and outer stripes of the outer medulla. This change is normally seen in female than in male and may occur as early as 3∼8 week of age. The cause of renal mineralization is unknown. Nephrocalcinosis is thought to be related to imbalances of calcium, phosphorus, chloride, magnesium, water load and protein. Also, estrogens have been found to be essential role for the development of nephracalcinosis. A better balance of essential nutrients, the AIN-93 diets formulation may prove to be a better choice than AIN-76A for long-term as well as short-term studies with laboratory rodents.
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