Influence of magnesium deficiency on horse foal tissue concentraion of Mg, calcium and phosphorus.
Abstract: 1. The effects of feeding with a purified magnesium-deficient diet (--Mg, 7-8 mg Mg/kg) on horse foal blood serum and tissue concentrations of Mg, calcium and phosphorus were studied, and the results compared with histopathological findings. 2. Serum concentrations of Ca and P were unaffected by feeding with the --Mg diet, whereas serum Mg concentrations decreased from a mean initial (day o) concentration of 0.78 mmol/l to 0.53 mmol/l 7 d after foals were placed on the -Mg diet, and then continued to decrease at a slower rate. 3. Aorta concentrations of Ca and P, but not Mg, were positively correlated with the period of time foals were given the -Mg diet, verifying histopathological findings. Results for both aorta Ca and P analyses and histopathological studies indicated that mineralization of the aorta began approximately 30-35 d after foals were placed on the -Mg diet. 4. Feeding with the -Mg diet had no significant, analytically detectable effect on brain, liver, kidney, lung, spleen, skeletal or cardiac muscle concentrations of Ca, P or Mg, although microscopic evidence of mineralization was seen in some of these tissues from foals given the Mg diet for 71-180 d. 5. A significant negative correlation was found between bone ash concentrations of Mg (rib, metacarpus and metatarsus) and the length of time foals were fed on the Mg diet. Bone ash concentrations of Ca and P were, however, unchanged. 6. Low serum Mg values and negative correlations between the bone ash concentration of Mg and the period of time foals were fed on the -Mg diet supplemented with 390 mg. Mg as MgO/kg were interpreted as suggesting that either this level of Mg supplementation is marginal for the growing foal, or that the Mg in MgO is not readily available to the growing foal.
Publication Date: 1975-07-01 PubMed ID: 1148153DOI: 10.1017/s0007114575000086Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research investigates the influence of magnesium deficiency in a foal’s diet on the concentrations of magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus in their tissues. Results show that while low magnesium diet impacted the levels of these elements in certain tissues like the aorta and bone, it did not significantly impact their availability in other tissues such as the brain, liver, and muscle.
Studying Impact of Magnesium Deficiency
- The researchers fed foals a magnesium-deficient diet and analyzed the concentration of magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus in their blood and tissues.
- The study aimed to compare these results with any histopathological findings observed.
Serum Levels of Magnesium, Calcium, and Phosphorus
- Despite being placed on a magnesium-deprived diet, the serum concentrations of calcium and phosphorus in the foals remained unaffected.
- However, the blood levels of magnesium declined gradually – an immediate decrease after 7 days followed by a slower rate of decrease.
Mineralization in Aorta and other Tissues
- The study found that the concentrations of calcium and phosphorus, but not magnesium, in the aorta corresponded positively with the time the foals consumed the magnesium-deficient diet.
- This concurred with histopathological findings, indicating aorta mineralization began around 30-35 days after the foals started the magnesium-deprived diet.
- On the contrary, no significant impact was seen on the concentrations of these elements in the foals’ brain, liver, kidney, lung, spleen, skeletal, or heart muscles. However, microscopic evidence of mineralization was observed in some of these tissues after a longer duration (71-180 days) of the diet.
Impact on Bone Ash Concentrations
- The study reveals a substantial negative correlation between the concentrations of magnesium in bone ash (rib, metacarpus and metatarsus) and the duration the foals were fed the magnesium-deficient diet.
- Nevertheless, the concentrations of calcium and phosphorus in the bone ash remained constant throughout.
Interpreting the Findings
- The findings suggest that the level of magnesium provided in the diet could be insufficient for the growing foal, or the foal may not readily absorb the form of magnesium used.
- The low serum magnesium values and the negative correlation between the magnesium concentration in bone ash and the diet’s duration offer potential proof of these hypotheses.
Cite This Article
APA
Harrington DD.
(1975).
Influence of magnesium deficiency on horse foal tissue concentraion of Mg, calcium and phosphorus.
Br J Nutr, 34(1), 45-57.
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0007114575000086 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
- Animals
- Aorta / metabolism
- Bone and Bones / metabolism
- Brain / metabolism
- Calcium / metabolism
- Female
- Horses / metabolism
- Kidney / metabolism
- Liver / metabolism
- Lung / metabolism
- Magnesium / administration & dosage
- Magnesium / metabolism
- Magnesium Deficiency / metabolism
- Male
- Muscles / metabolism
- Pancreas / metabolism
- Phosphorus / metabolism
- Spleen / metabolism
- Time Factors
Citations
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