Effects of Intrinsic Potassium in Artificially Dried Grass and Supplemental Potassium Bicarbonate on Apparent Magnesium Absorption in Dry Cows

¹ Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, PO Box 80.152, 3508 TD Utrecht, The Netherlands

Literature data indicate that the form of K in the ration can affect its inhibitory influence on Mg absorption in ruminants. We tested whether identical amounts of K either intrinsically present in artificially dried grass or present in added KHCO₃ have different effects on Mg absorption in dry cows. In a 3 x 3 Latin square design, six cows were fed rations consisting of low-K grass and concentrate with or without KHCO₃ or a ration consisting of high-K grass with concentrate without added KHCO₃. Each ration was given for a period of 4 wk. The ration low in intrinsic K contained 26 g of K/kg of dry matter, the ration low in intrinsic K plus KHCO₃ contained 43 g of K/kg of dry matter, and the ration high in intrinsic K also contained 43 g of K/kg of dry matter. The three rations were balanced for crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, Mg (2.2 g/kg of dry matter), Ca, P, and Na. Apparent Mg absorption was 10.8 ± 1.54% of intake (mean ± SE, n = 6) when the cows were fed the low-K ration, but dropped to 1.9 ± 3.4 and 2.1 ± 1.9% of intake, respectively, when the rations high in KHCO₃ and high in intrinsic K were fed. The two high-K rations induced similar increases in ruminal K concentrations both before and after feed consumption. The feeding of KHCO₃ did not influence ruminal pH. The intake of extra K may raise ruminal K concentrations, which increases the transmural potential difference so that Mg transport across the rumen epithelium becomes depressed. Thus, intrinsic and added K had identical effects on ruminal K concentrations and on Mg absorption. Feeding trials with ruminants in which K intakes are manipulated with the use of KHCO₃ may reflect those cases when concentrations of K intrinsically present in feedstuffs may vary.

Key Words: magnesium • potassium • cows • absorption

Submitted on December 15, 1998
Accepted on April 16, 1999

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