Repeated measurements of P retention in ponies fed rations with various Ca:P ratios.
Abstract: This study addresses the question of whether feeding rations rich in P for a period of up to 42 d induces a positive P balance in adult ponies. Biochemical bone markers and parathyroid hormone (PTH; intact as well as whole PTH) were measured to obtain clues as to the effect of P loading on bone metabolism. The experiment had a Latin square design. Each feeding period lasted 42 d, and there were 2 balance trials (ECP1 and ECP2) within each feeding period. Each balance trial lasted 10 d (ECP1: d 11 to 21; ECP2: d 33 to 42). Six ponies aged 2.5 to 7 yr were fed a control diet that provided P and Ca according to the requirement (Control diet: 54 mg Ca·kg BW(-1) · d(-1); 36 mg P · kg BW(-1) · d(-1)), a diet high in Ca and P (HCaHP diet: 146 mg Ca · kg BW(-1) · d(-1); 121 mg P · kg BW(-1) · d(-1)), and a diet with a high P level only and Ca fed to the requirement (HP diet: 54 mg Ca · kg BW(-1) · d(-1); 122 mg P · kg BW(-1) · d(-1)). When fed the Control diet, the ponies showed a zero P and Ca balance over the 42-d period. The HCaHP diet resulted in both P and Ca retention (about 2 g Ca and P/d; P < 0.05). Phosphorus retention (about 2 g P/d) alone was observed when ponies were fed the HP diet, but P retention was only different (P < 0.05) from the Control diet in ECP1. The excretion of P in urine was reduced by greater Ca intake (P < 0.05), and Mg absorption was reduced by high P intake (P < 0.05). Plasma P concentration was raised by high P intake. Plasma Ca levels were not affected by dietary treatment. The greater (P < 0.05) P retentions observed for the HCaHP diet during ECP1 and ECP2 and HP diet during ECP1 could not be explained by processes that could have been indicated by the bone markers or PTH values. It was concluded that dietary-P-induced retention of P in ponies does not seem to be associated with altered bone metabolism in this study.
Publication Date: 2014-10-29 PubMed ID: 25349347DOI: 10.2527/jas.2014-7632Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article investigates how feeding ponies with diets of different calcium to phosphorus ratios affects their balance of phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca) over a 42-day period. The researchers also checked whether these diet changes influence bone metabolism, using biochemical bone markers and parathyroid hormone (PTH) measurements.
Research Design
- The study used a Latin Square experimental design. Six ponies aged between 2.5 to 7 years were included in the research.
- The ponies were fed three different diets: a control diet providing P and Ca as per the requirement (Control diet), a diet high in both Ca and P (HCaHP diet), and a diet high only in P, with Ca at standard level (HP diet).
- Each diet program lasted 42 days, divided into two balance trials of 10 days each: ECP1 (Day 11 to 21) and ECP2 (Day 33 to 42).
Main Findings
- When the ponies were on the Control diet, their P and Ca balance remained neutral over the 42-day period.
- The diet with high quantities of both Ca and P led to retention of both minerals (around 2g each per day).
- When the ponies were fed the HP diet, their P retention was similar to that of the HCaHP diet. Still, a significant difference from the Control diet was only recorded in the ECP1 stage.
- Greater Ca intake decreased P excretion in urine, and high P intake reduced the absorption of Magnesium (Mg).
- Eating a diet high in P increased plasma P concentration, but it did not alter plasma Ca levels.
- The increase in P retention for the HCaHP diet and HP diet during ECP1 could not be explained by the bone markers or PTH values recorded.
Conclusion and Implications
- The study concluded that any phosphorus retention triggered by dietary changes did not appear to be linked to altered bone metabolism in the ponies, at least within the timeframe of this study.
- The results might have implications for animal nutrition strategies, including those of equine health and diet programs, by highlighting the interactions between dietary P intake, Ca balance, and possible effects on bone health.
Cite This Article
APA
van Doorn DA, Schaafstra FJ, Wouterse H, Everts H, Estepa JC, Aguilera-Tejero E, Beynen AC.
(2014).
Repeated measurements of P retention in ponies fed rations with various Ca:P ratios.
J Anim Sci, 92(11), 4981-4990.
https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2014-7632 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands d.a.vandoorn1@uu.nl.
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
- Departamento Medicina y Cirugia Animal, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus Universitario Rabanales, Cordoba, Spain.
- Departamento Medicina y Cirugia Animal, Universidad de Córdoba, Campus Universitario Rabanales, Cordoba, Spain.
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Body Weight / drug effects
- Bone and Bones / drug effects
- Bone and Bones / metabolism
- Calcium / metabolism
- Calcium, Dietary / pharmacology
- Diet / veterinary
- Horses / metabolism
- Magnesium / metabolism
- Male
- Parathyroid Hormone / metabolism
- Phosphorus / metabolism
- Phosphorus, Dietary / pharmacology
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Saastamoinen M, Särkijärvi S, Valtonen E. The Effect of Diet Composition on the Digestibility and Fecal Excretion of Phosphorus in Horses: A Potential Risk of P Leaching?. Animals (Basel) 2020 Jan 15;10(1).
- Qiu Z, Tan Y, Zeng H, Wang L, Wang D, Luo J, Zhang L, Huang Y, Chen JA, Shu W. Multi-generational drinking of bottled low mineral water impairs bone quality in female rats. PLoS One 2015;10(3):e0121995.
- Maier I, Kienzle E. A Meta-Analysis on Quantitative Calcium, Phosphorus and Magnesium Metabolism in Horses and Ponies. Animals (Basel) 2024 Sep 25;14(19).
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