J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1953. 12:451-458.
© 1953 American Society of Animal Science
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A Study of Sheep Fed High Levels of Potassium Bicarbonate with Particular Reference to Induced Hypomagnesemia1

H. O. Kunkel, K. H. Burns and Bennie J. Camp2

Texas Agricultural Experiment Station,3

Abstract

The inclusion of 5 percent of potassium as the bicarbonate in a cottonseed hulls—ground milo—soybean oil meal diet resulted in a significant lowering of the magnesium content of the serum. This hypomagnesemia was without clinical symptoms. The limitation of water or the deprivation of sodium chloride did not accentuate the hypomagnesemia.

The calcium, potassium, sodium and total protein content of the serum were not markedly altered by the ingestion of potassium bicarbonate. A mild hypocalcemia was evident early in the experimental period in sheep with the limited water supply, but after 62 days the potassium-fed sheep tended toward a hypercalcemia. A mild hyperkaliemia was evident at 12 days, but later disappeared. The sodium and protein contents of the serum were unaffected.

The inclusion of potassium bicarbonate in the diet decreased feed intake and gain. Deprivation of sodium chloride and water appeared to accentuate the decrease in rate of gain. A transient mild hypersensitivity was indicated in the animals receiving the low-salt, high-potassium diets.

The relations of these findings to the etiology of grass tetany is discussed.

Footnotes

1 This work was supported in part by a grant from the Dow Chemical Company, Freeport, Texas, administered through the Texas A. and M. Research Foundation.

2 The authors are deeply indebted to Raymond Fowler and Richard W. Moore for assistance in the care and management of experimental animals, and to Dr. R. D. Turk and Dr. W. S. Monlux of the Department of Veterinary Science for the histological examinations

3 Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, College Station, Texas.






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