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Magnesium Studies in Calves

II. The Effect of Magnesium Salts and Various Natural Feeds upon the Magnesium Content of the Blood Plasma¹

Dairy Section and Chemistry Section of the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, East Lansing

A basal ration consisting of whole milk supplemented with iron, copper and manganese, with or without the addition of starch or a carbohydrate rich cereal product always produced hypomagnesemia in calves.

The total intake of 12–15 mg. of magnesium per kilogram of body weight was sufficient to maintain normal plasma magnesium levels when small amounts of either corn, alfalfa hay or corn gluten meal were included in the basal ration.

A total intake of 30 to 40 mg. of magnesium per kilogram was required to maintain normal plasma values, when magnesium salts were added to the basal ration. The same amounts of magnesium in the form of alfalfa ash were less effective than the magnesium salts.

These data suggest that the utilization of magnesium by growing calves is more efficient when magnesium is furnished by natural feeds than when supplied by magnesium salts.

Manuscript received 31 July 1941.