Response of the Young Pig to Levels of Dietary Potassium

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Abstract
Two experiments involving 80 pigs were conducted to study the effect of levels of dietary potassium on pigs weaned directly to dry rations at 14 to 18 days of age. The control rations analyzed 0.027% and 0.004% potassium. Potassium was added as K2CO3 in increments of 0.1% and 0.05% in experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Pigs on the control rations had poor appetite, became emaciated, had rough hair coats, became unsteady on their feet, with death occurring after 6 weeks. Electrocardiograms indicated marked cardiac impairment but autopsy revealed no pathological symptoms directly attributable to the potassium deficiency. The optimum total level of potassium was estimated to be approximately 0.26%. Copyright © . .

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