Nutritional and clinical aspects of parenteral nutrition in pigs irradiated on the abdomen with supralethal doses.

Nutritional balances of nitrogen and minerals (sodium potassium, calcium, phosphorus) were established in 10 pigs of 40 kg receiving a continuous parenteral nutrition supplying a daily amount of 1500 ml containing 1500 kcal and 2.2-5.4 g of protein, and in addition, 2 liters of water per day. The balances were recorded for 5 days in the animals used as controls and for 9 days in those irridated with 1000 rd in the median plane. This dose represents the inferior limit for appearence of the gastrointestinal syndrome in this species. The irradiated subjects seemed to be able to use a relatively high supply of energy and protein. Water and nitrogen balances were easy to obtain with respect to sodium, potassium and calcium, whereas the deficiency in phosphorus was difficult to compensate for through the intravenous route only.