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Plasma Magnesium Levels as Influenced by Cold Exposure in Fed or Fasted Sheep¹

Department of Animal Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546

Eight ewes weighing about 52 kg were used in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments replicated with temperature reversal to determine the effect of cold exposure on plasma Mg, Ca, free fatty acids (FFA), glucose and insulin con-centrations and on renal clearance of Mg and Ca. Closely sheared ewes were fed a complete mixed diet at either 1.5% of body weight with no pretreatment fast or fed ad libitum followed by fasting 3 days before initiation of temperature treatments. Fasting superimposed on cold exposure reduced (P < 0.01) plasma Mg at 1 hour after expsoure to cold, and this effect continued during the cold treatment period, whereas Mg concentration was not significantly affected in fed sheep. Plasma FFA measured across temperature treatments was increased (P < 0.01) by fasting. FFA measured across dietary treatments was only slightly increased by cold expsoure. Plasma glucose levels of fasting sheep were lower (P < 0.05) than those of fed sheep; however, levels rose (P < 0.05) after exposure to cold. A tendency for plasma insulin to increase after cold stress was observed. Renal clearances of Mg and Ca were markedly reduced (P < 0.01) by fasting, but clearance was not changed by cold stress. These results suggest that exposure to cold (2–5°) and a deficient dietary intake synergistically reduce plasma Mg in sheep.

KEY WORDS: • hypomagnesemia • cold stress • fasting • ruminants

¹ The investigation reported in this paper (82-5-61) is in connection with a project of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and is published with approval of the Director.

² To whom reprint requests should be sent.

³ Present address: Tennessee Eastman Inc., Rochester, NY. 14603.

⁴ Present address: Land O'Lakes Inc., Webster City, IA 50595.

Manuscript received 5 April 1982.