Effect of suckling an isotonic solution of sodium acetate, sodium bicarbonate, or sodium chloride on abomasal emptying rate and luminal pH in calves.
OBJECTIVE
To compare abomasal emptying rates in calves after suckling milk replacer or 3 common orally administered electrolyte solution components.


METHODS
5 male calves < 35 days of age.


METHODS
Calves with a cannula fitted in the abomasal body were fed 2 L of milk replacer with or without parenteral administration of atropine (0.01 mg/kg, i.v., then 0.02 mg/ kg, s.c., q 30 min) or isotonic (150 mM) solutions of sodium acetate, NaHCO(3), or NaCl in a randomized crossover design. Abomasal emptying rates were determined via scintigraphy, acetaminophen absorption, ultrasonography, and change in abomasal luminal pH.


RESULTS
Scintigraphic half-emptying time, time of maximal plasma acetaminophen concentration, ultrasonographic half-emptying time, and pH return time indicated similar abomasal emptying rates following suckling of isotonic sodium acetate, NaHCO(3), and NaCl solutions, whereas the emptying rate of milk replacer was significantly slower. Mean maximal abomasal luminal pH was highest following suckling of NaHCO(3) (pH(max)=7.85) and lowest following suckling of NaCl (pH(max)=4.52); sodium acetate (pH(max)=6.59) and milk replacer (pH(max)=5.84) yielded intermediate pH values.


CONCLUSIONS
Isotonic solutions of sodium acetate, NaHCO(3), and NaCl were rapidly emptied from the abomasum but varied markedly in their ability to alkalinize the abomasum. Sodium bicarbonate-containing orally administered electrolyte solution might increase the frequency of infection or severity of clinical disease in diarrheic calves treated for dehydration by causing prolonged abomasal alkalinization.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA.
Tessa S
TS
Marshall
Peter D
PD
Constable
Sonia S
SS
Crochik
Thomas
T
Wittek
David E
DE
Freeman
Dawn E
DE
Morin
D000018:Abomasum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism; D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000833:Animals, Suckling; D002417:Cattle / Q000502:physiology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005746:Gastric Emptying / Q000187:drug effects*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D011897:Random Allocation; D015532:Rehydration Solutions / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019346:Sodium Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014463:Ultrasonography
D015532:Rehydration Solutions; D000082:Acetaminophen; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D019346:Sodium Acetate; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate