Effects of different levels of dietary calcium on calcium and phosphorus kinetics in horses

This experiment was carried out to study calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) kinetics of growing horses fed diets with different Ca levels: 0.15%, 0.45, and 0.75%, using a deterministic and compartmental model. The information on metabolism and kinetic of Ca and P in tissues was obtained by the isotopic dilution technique. Dietary Ca levels influenced Ca true absorption, showing lower value (4.97 g Ca/day) for the Ca level of 0.15%. The changes of Ca between the blood and digestive tract were lower for 0,15% Ca. The flows between the blood and bone and blood and soft tissues did not show differences between treatments, but bone and tissue balance was lower for the level of 0.15%. Dietary Ca levels influenced on P in urine and values were higher for 0.15% (2.49 g P/anim.day). The mean true P absorption was of 83%, with no differences among treatments. Bone deposition of 9.69g P/anim.day was observed, showing that the amount of P fed was adequate in relation to the allowed amplitude for Ca:P ratio for the specie in the studied animal category. No differences between the P flows in the diverse compartments, for interference of the metabolism model. The ingestion of increasing levels of Ca affected the metabolism and the kinetic of this element, however Ca:P ratio is the predominant factor to determine the excretion, retention and absorption of Ca. The Ca deposition in bone is influenced by the amount ingested of this mineral. The P metabolism in growing horses was not affected by Ca levels. The amount of 13.4 g P/anim.day in the diet was sufficient to maintain P metabolism at normal standard levels. (AU)