The researchers studied how reducing calcium and phosphorus intake affected rats over 70 days. They gave rats different diets with varying amounts of calcium and phosphorus. As the rats ate less calcium and phosphorus, their bodies absorbed more food material. Even with lower intake, some calcium and phosphorus were still excreted. The bones of rats on lower intake diets had less calcium and phosphorus, and more organic material. Body weight and fat deposition were not affected much, except in female rats on the lowest intake diet. Overall, reducing calcium and phosphorus intake led to changes in bone composition and body protein content.