In vitro binding capacity of zeolite A to calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in rumen fluid as influenced by changes in pH

An in vitro experiment was designed to mimic the transport of ingested zeolite A in the forestomachs and proximal part of the small intestine so as to evaluate the binding capacity of zeolite A to Ca, P and Mg as influenced by changes in pH. This was done by incubation of rumen fluid solutions with and without zeolite, as well as varying the content of Ca and/or P. The pH was lowered by addition of HCl so as to mimic abomasal conditions, followed by subsequent HCO3- addition to mimic small intestinal pH. Rumen fluid samples were taken at strategic time points in the experiment. All samples were centrifuged and the supernatant analysed for Ca, P and Mg as indicators of the amount of unbound mineral. The addition of zeolite to rumen fluid solutions reduced the amount of supernatant Ca and Mg at rumen pH, whereas the level of P was not reduced. After adding HCl, a large proportion of the zeolite-bound Ca and Mg was released, increasing supernatant Ca and Mg levels; whereas, HCl addition led to a profound drop in supernatant P in zeolite samples, indicating binding of P. A low level of supernatant P was maintained after HCO3- addition. Neutralization by HCO3- led to a zeolite-induced drop in supernatant Ca and Mg. The reduction in supernatant Ca observed in the present study concurs well with the theoretical rationale of prepartum zeolite supplementation in milk fever prevention. Furthermore, the apparent binding of P by the zeolite may also contribute because of the connection between the calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. The zeolite-induced reduction in supernatant Mg indicates that zeolite supplementation should probably be avoided in Mg-deficient herds unless Mg supplementation is initiated.