Effect of cation-anion balance in feed on urine pH in rabbits in comparison with other species.
Abstract: In the present investigation, the impact of diet composition on urine pH in rabbits was compared with previous studies on rabbits, cats, dogs, pigs and horses. A total of 13 dwarf rabbits were fed six different diets with a cation-anion balance (CAB) between -39 and +320 mmol/kg dry matter (DM) using ammonium chloride (NH Cl) as an acidifier. CAB was calculated as follows: CAB (mmol/kg DM) = 49.9*Ca + 82.3*Mg +43.5*Na + 25.6*K - 59*P - 62.4*S - 28.2*Cl; minerals in g/kg DM. Urine, faeces and blood were collected. Urine pH ranged from 5.26 ± 0.22 at a CAB of -39 mmol/kg DM to 8.56 ± 0.24 at a CAB of +320 mmol/kg DM. A low CAB in the feed reduced blood pH and blood base excess significantly. Renal excretion of Ca, P, Na and Mg and water was significantly higher in rabbits eating acidifying diets. In comparison with other species, rabbits reacted to acidifying diets in a similar way as cats, dogs and pigs. Rabbits on a mildly alkalizing diet, however, had a trend to higher urine pH than other monogastric species on such diets (cats, dogs, pigs, horses).
Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition © 2017 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2017-03-16 PubMed ID: 28299839DOI: 10.1111/jpn.12653Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research studied the effect of different dietary compositions on the pH value of urine in rabbits, and compared these effects with findings from studies on other animals like cats, dogs, pigs, and horses. Various diets were used to control the cation-anion balance (CAB) in the rabbits’ feed, and the effects on urine pH, blood pH, and more were observed and analyzed.
Research Methodology
- A total of thirteen dwarf rabbits were utilized for this study.
- Six different diets were fed to these rabbits, each diet having a cation-anion balance (CAB) between -39 and +320 mmol/kg of dry matter (DM).
- Ammonium chloride (NH Cl) was used as an acidifier in the feeds.
- CAB was calculated using a given formula, which included minerals in g/kg DM.
- Urine, faeces, and blood samples were collected from the rabbits for examination.
Results and Findings
- The pH of the rabbit’s urine ranged between 5.26 (at a CAB of -39 mmol/kg DM) to 8.56 (at a CAB of +320 mmol/kg DM).
- Diets having a low CAB significantly reduced the pH of the rabbit’s blood and blood base excess.
- Increased renal excretion of calcium, phosphorous, sodium and magnesium, along with water, was noted in rabbits fed with acidifying diets.
Comparative Analysis with Other Species
- When compared with other species, rabbits showed similar responses to acidifying diets as observed in cats, dogs, and pigs.
- However, when fed with mildly alkalizing diets, rabbits showed a trend towards higher urine pH as compared to other monogastric species such as cats, dogs, pigs, and horses.
Conclusion
- The study reveals that the structure of a rabbit’s diet impacts the pH of their urine, similar to the findings from studies on other animals.
- The changes in urine pH and renal excretion of certain minerals display how dietary manipulations can influence the homeostasis of animals such as rabbits.
- Understanding such responses can contribute towards devising strategic dietary plans for these animals, particularly in the context of animal health and disease management.
Cite This Article
APA
Heer F, Dobenecker B, Kienzle E.
(2017).
Effect of cation-anion balance in feed on urine pH in rabbits in comparison with other species.
J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl), 101(6), 1324-1330.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.12653 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
- Department of Veterinary Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
- Department of Veterinary Science, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed / analysis
- Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
- Animals
- Diet / veterinary
- Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
- Rabbits / urine
- Species Specificity
- Urine / chemistry
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Zhang G, Deng T, Deng R, Sun X, He Y, Liu Z. Baseline urine pH is related to effective urine alkalization by short-term alkaline water supplementation: data from a self-controlled study in healthy Chinese volunteers following a systematic review and meta-analysis of literature. Transl Androl Urol 2022 May;11(5):710-719.
- Böswald LF, Matzek D, Kienzle E, Popper B. Influence of Strain and Diet on Urinary pH in Laboratory Mice. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 5;11(3).
- Yang K, Tian X, Ma Z, Wu W. Feeding a Negative Dietary Cation-Anion Difference to Female Goats Is Feasible, as Indicated by the Non-Deleterious Effect on Rumen Fermentation and Rumen Microbial Population and Increased Plasma Calcium Level. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 2;11(3).
- Böswald LF, Matzek D, Popper B. Digestibility of crude nutrients and minerals in C57Bl/6J and CD1 mice fed a pelleted lab rodent diet. Sci Rep 2024 Jan 20;14(1):1791.
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