A factorial experiment was conducted to determine the influence of phytate(0 or 10g/kg diet) and calcium (Ca)(3 or 10g/kg diet) intakes on Ca, P and Zn metabolism by growing female rats. Food intake and weight were similar for the all groups, however, phytate ingestion for six weeks depressed femur growth. The low Ca plus phytate group showed the lowest Ca content of total femur and this was related to a significant decrease of Ca retention. Phytate intake depressed zinc(Zn) absorption in the first metabolic collection. This inhibitory effect of phytate on Zn absorption was improved in the low Ca plus phytate group after several weeks. Impared Zn absorption however remained in the high Ca plus phytate group which was reflected in the lowest Zn content of femur, phytate intake with high Ca also depressed phosphorous(P) absorption and serum and urinary P. These adverse effects of phytate on Zn and P absorption when the dietary Ca was high could explain reduced femur weight despite the highest concentration of femur Ca(mg/g ash) in this group. Results suggest that phytate can adversely affect not only Ca metabolism but Zn and P utilization. Thus, for the normal bone growth when phytate intake is high, the ingesion of Ca, P, Zn and other minerals should be enhanced.