Effect of potassium and hypomagnesemia on insulin in the bovine

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · J. Anim. Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7212893

Lentz, D E; Madsen, F C; Miller, J K; Hansard, S L

Grass tetany in cattle has been associated with the consumption of early spring forages high in potassium (K) and low in magnesium (Mg). Alterations in serum Mg and K may affect intermediary carbohydrate metabolism, resulting in hypoglycemia and ketosis that often accompany grass tetany. We investigated these interrelationships by infusing potassium chloride (KCl) intravenously in normal (plasma Mg greater than 2.1 mg/100 ml) and Mg-deficient (plasma Mg less than .7 mg/100 ml) 9-month-old Holstein bull calves and intraruminally into nonpregnant, nonlactating Holstein cows. Plasma levels of both K and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) were elevated (P less than .01) by 1.14, 2, and 3 percent KCl (51, 64, and 135 mg K/kg) in calves and by 550 g KCl (440 mg K/kg body weight) in cows. Plasma K was lower (P less than .01) and IRI higher (P less than .01) in Mg-deficient calves than in normal calves during 2 percent KCl infusion. These results suggest that prolonged elevation of K and insulin in ruminants could lead to a series of metabolic disturbances that may play an important role in the etiology of grass tetany.

• Research Organization: Comparative Animal Research Lab., Oak Ridge, TN
• OSTI ID: 7212893
• Journal Information: J. Anim. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Anim. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 43:5; ISSN JANSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550500* -- Metabolism
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BIOMASS
BLOOD
BLOOD PLASMA
BODY FLUIDS
CARBOHYDRATES
CATTLE
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
GLUCAGON
GRASS
HORMONES
INSULIN
MAGNESIUM
MAMMALS
METABOLISM
METALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PEPTIDE HORMONES
PEPTIDES
PLANTS
POLYPEPTIDES
POTASSIUM
PROTEINS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RUMINANTS
VERTEBRATES