Bentonite influence of manganese uptake in rats

Bentonite as a 2% additive to a standard laboratory diet was given to rats for 28 d together with traces of manganese chloride (manganese-54). Experimental procedures included the measurement of feed and water intake, body weight gain, organ to body ratio, and determination of manganese radioactivity in the carcass and selected organs during 28 d after the treatment. The results indicated that bentonite produced a moderate but persistent decrease in radiomanganese uptake in the carcass, liver, kidneys, duodenum, and blood. In contrast, no influences of dietary bentonite on the uptake of radiomanganese in the gonads, brain, muscles, and spleen were found. Moreover, bentonite also failed to affect feed and water intake, organs to body ratios, and body weight gains.