Influence of a low chloride practical diet on acid-base balance and other factors of blood in young dairy calves.

Control (.5% chloride) or low-chloride (.038% chloride) practical diets and low-chloride (.00038% chloride) well water were fed to male Holstein calves for 7 wk. Substantial alterations in characteristics of blood associated with acid-base balance developed in those fed the low-chloride diet. Along with reduced potassium in plasma, concentrations of chloride in synovial fluid, saliva, and plasma also were reduced. Solids in plasma, blood pH, packed cell volume, carbon dioxide pressure (PCO2) in blood, and bicarbonate were increased. Most of the changes in plasma occurred within 1 wk with little change thereafter, indicating an adaptation by the calves to the low-chloride diet. The adaptation by the low-chloride calves was primarily due to a tremendous reduction in urinary chloride excretion. Change in blood factors was insufficient to cause severe alkalosis in calves. The low-chloride diet had no significant effect on sodium absorption, retention, or distribution in body fluids. Potassium in plasma and aqueous humor were reduced in calves fed the low-chloride diet, but potassium concentrations in other body fluid were not affected significantly.