Effects of dietary electrolyte balance and calcium supply on mineral and acid−base status of piglets fed a diversified diet

Abstract

Dietary electrolyte balance (dEB) is known to affect acid−base status and mineral metabolism, but is rarely considered in diet formulation for pigs. Yet, the use of a wide variety of local feedstuffs in Europe contributes to lowering the dEB and increasing the fibre content. Hence, mineral requirements may be modified and skeletal health affected. Therefore, the effects of a lower dEB and a higher dietary Ca level on acid−base balance and mineral status were assessed in young pigs fed a diversified diet. A total of twenty-four weaned pigs were fed a control moderate-dEB diet (C) or a diversified moderate-dEB (D), low-dEB (D-A) or low-dEB supplemented with Ca (D-CA) diet. Growth performance, venous blood gas and chemistry, urine pH, mineral balance and femur characteristics were determined. With an equivalent dEB compared with the C diet, the D diet caused an acidification of the urine and increased the excretion of P as a result of a higher dietary content of S. Low-grade metabolic acidosis occurred in piglets fed the D-A diet with changes at systemic and urine levels. A higher excretion of ammonia and P in urine was observed and some bone characteristics tended to be negatively affected. Ca supplementation partially counteracted the effects of low-grade acidosis. Urine excretion of P and ammonia was alleviated and bone characteristics improved. In conclusion, a higher Ca supply must be considered in more diversified diets to counteract the risk of evolving towards low-grade metabolic acidosis which can negatively affect bone.

Effects of electrolyte balance on intestinal barrier, amino acid metabolism, and mTORC1 signaling pathway in piglets fed low-protein diets

“…It is widely believed that the dEB might affect acid–base status and mineral metabolism, thereby inhibiting food intake and nutrient metabolism ( Deng et al., 2020 ). This study found that pH and HCO 3 − in arterial blood were decreased in the LE group compared to the ME and HE groups, corresponding to observations in the literature ( Bournazel et al., 2020 ; Quade et al., 2021 ). To maintain the extracellular fluid electrically neutral, an equivalent amount of Cl − must be expelled for every increase in HCO 3 − in the plasma, and vice versa ( Quade et al., 2021 ).…”

Effects of low protein diets on acid‐base balance, electrolyte balance, intestinal structure, and amino acid transport in piglets

“…When the dEB is less than 175 meq/kg, the body's blood pH and HCO 3 − concentration decrease, indicating metabolic acidosis (Royall et al, 2022). In the experiment, the LP diet (dEB = 148.24 mEq/kg) resulted in a decrease in pH, HCO 3 − , pCO 2 , and BE in the arterial blood of piglets, as well as an increase in pO 2 , which was similar to the previous results of metabolic acidosis brought on by high dietary Cl − content (Bournazel et al, 2019). This might be because pigs' acid-base balance is affected by monovalent mineral cations and anions (Royall et al, 2022).…”

An optimal dietary sodium chloride supplemental level of broiler chicks fed a corn-soybean meal diet from 1 to 21 days of age

“…The Na and Cl jointly control the volume of extracellular fluid and osmotic pressure, and regulate the body fluid and acid-base balance ( 26 , 30 ). The blood gas parameters are important indicators to evaluate the metabolic acid-base imbalance in the body ( 31 , 32 ). A previous study showed that blood gas parameters could reflect the bioavailability of Na and Cl in broiler chicks ( 10 ).…”