Validation of diagnostic tests for determination of magnesium status in horses with reduced magnesium intake.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the diagnostic value of serum concentrations of total magnesium (tMg) and ionized magnesium (iMg), concentrations of magnesium (Mg) in muscle, intracellular Mg (icMg) concentrations, urinary Mg excretion (EMg), Mg clearance (CMg), and fractional clearance of Mg (FCMg) in horses fed diets with Mg content above and below National Research Council recommendations.


METHODS
9 young female horses.


METHODS
6 horses were fed a reduced-Mg diet for 29 days followed by an Mg-supplemented diet for 24 days. Control horses (n = 3) were fed grass hay exclusively. Blood, urine, and tissue samples were collected, and an Mg retention test was performed before and after restriction and supplementation of Mg intake. Serum tMg, serum iMg, muscle Mg, icMg, and urine Mg concentrations were measured, and 24-hour EMg, CMg, and FCMg were calculated.


RESULTS
Reductions in urinary 24-hour EMg, CMg, and FCMg were evident after 13 days of feeding a reduced-Mg diet. Serum tMg and iMg concentrations, muscle Mg content, and results of the Mg retention test were not affected by feeding the Mg-deficient diet. Spot urine sample FCMg accurately reflected FCMg calculated from 6- and 24-hour pooled urine samples. Mean +/- SD FCtMg of horses eating grass hay was 29 +/- 8%, whereas mean FCtMg for horses fed a reduced-Mg diet for 29 days was 6 +/- 3%.


CONCLUSIONS
The 24-hour EMg was the most sensitive indicator of reduced Mg intake in horses. Spot sample FCMg can be conveniently used to identify horses consuming a diet deficient in Mg.
Stewart
Allison J
AJ
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Hardy
Joanne
J
Kohn
Catherine W
CW
Toribio
Ramiro E
RE
Hinchcliff
Kenneth W
KW
Silver
Burton
B
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006736:Horses; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000652:urine; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D009060:Mouth Floor / Q000378:metabolism; D009751:Nutritional Requirements
D008274:Magnesium