Struvite stones are a type of kidney stone composed mainly of magnesium ammonium phosphate (MgNH₄PO₄·6H₂O). When infections occur, particularly those caused by bacteria that produce the enzyme urease, which breaks down urea to ammonia, the increased concentration of ammonia raises the pH of urine, making it more alkaline. This environment facilitates the precipitation of struvite crystals, leading to the formation of struvite stones. Therefore, the metal most directly associated with the formation of struvite stones is magnesium.
Metal
Role
Magnesium
Forms part of the compound in struvite stones
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