Influence of dietary sodium bicarbonate on the potassium metabolism of growing dairy calves.
We evaluated the influence of supplemental dietary NaHCO3 on K metabolism of young dairy calves. Thirty-two Holstein and Jersey male and female calves were blocked at 56 to 70 d after birth according to breed, sex, and age and assigned randomly to a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of dietary treatments for 8 wk: .4% K with 0% NaHCO3, .4% K with 2% NaHCO3, .6% K with 0% NaHCO3, and .6% K with 2% NaHCO3. Feed intake was not affected by dietary KCl or NaHCO3 supplementation, but average daily gain increased with increased K and tended to be reduced by dietary NaHCO3. Plasma K was elevated by increased dietary K but generally was unaffected by NaHCO3. Urinary Ca excretion appeared to be reduced by NaHCO3; urine pH increased with supplemental NaHCO3. Results indicate 1) the K requirement of the growing calf is between .40 and .55% of diet DM, 2) because urinary K excretion was elevated by dietary NaHCO3, the K requirement may be increased when the diet is supplemented with NaHCO3, and 3) average daily gain and plasma K are sensitive indicators of dietary K in the growing calf.
Tucker
W B
WB
Department of Animal Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40546.
Jackson
J A
JA
Hopkins
D M
DM
Hogue
J F
JF
D000818:Animals; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D002417:Cattle / Q000378:metabolism*; D002712:Chlorides / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D011897:Random Allocation; D012964:Sodium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000652:urine; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D001639:Bicarbonates; D002712:Chlorides; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium