Metabolic effects of a low-magnesium diet in pigs

Abstract

1. Pigs were fed on semi-purified food. The magnesium content of the experimental diet was 1·0 and that of the control diet 1·9 g/kg.2. In the low-Mg group serum triglycerides and blood lactate values were increased and base excess and standard bicarbonate values were decreased, indicating metabolic acidosis.3. A significant positive dependence was found between blood pH and serum Mg:Ca value as well as between blood pH and serum Mg, and also between body temperature and blood lactate values in the low-Mg group. None of these dependences was significant in the control group with magnesium acetate supplementation in the food.4. No specific histopathological changes were found in heart, liver or kidney of the experimental animals.5. The results indicate that an increase in serum triglycerides does not need to depend on the amount or quality of food fat.6. The present study shows that, in pigs, a low-Mg diet may cause metabolic disturbances in instances when the food Mg content is distinctly higher than the normal values recommended by the (UK) Agricultural Research Council (1966) and (US) National Research Council (1968).