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Influences of Monovalent Cations on Growth and Lactic Acid Metabolism of Sheep Fed Purified Diets¹

Department of Biochemistry, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607

Investigations were conducted on the effect of supplementary Na⁺ and K⁺ bicarbonates (cations) and ad libitum versus controlled-feeding regimens on growth of lambs fed purified diets. Subsequent effects of the cation supplementation on lactic acid isomer production and VFA production were evaluated. Results indicated that the supplementary Na⁺ and K⁺ bicarbonates improved growth with the controlled-feeding regimen. Their presence had little or no effect on growth with the ad libitum regimen. Production of significantly greater levels of L (+) lactic acid than the D (-) isomer and a greater percentage of the total VFA production being propionate occurred with Na⁺ and K⁺ supplementation. Without the additional Na⁺ and K⁺, the predominant lactate isomer was D (-) and the greater percentage of VFA's produced was acetate plus butyrate rather than propionate. L (+) and D (-) LDH activities were in agreement with the levels of the two lactate isomers produced in both diets. Evidence was obtained that interconversion of lactic acid isomers in the rumen may take place by action of L (+) and D (-) lactic acid dehydrogenases. Under the experimental conditions, little or no racemase activity was found.

Manuscript received 18 December 1970.