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RESEARCH ARTICLE

The effects of chronic nitrate supplementation on erythrocytic methaemoglobin reduction in cattle

I. Godwin A B , L. Li A , K. Luijben A , N. Oelbrandt A , J. Velazco A , J. Miller A and R. Hegarty A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.

B Corresponding author. Email: igodwin@une.edu.au

Animal Production Science 55(5) 611-616 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN13366
Submitted: 2 September 2013  Accepted: 6 February 2014   Published: 8 May 2014

Abstract

Calcium nitrate and urea were fed as a supplement on an isonitrogenous basis to Angus steers and their erythrocytic methaemoglobin concentrations and NADH- and NADPH-methaemoglobin reductase levels were measured over a 54-day period. Methaemoglobin concentrations remained elevated despite increases in NADH-methaemoglobin reductase activity. In a second experiment, Brahman cross steers were fed either calcium nitrate or urea supplements for 111 days. Blood cells were then taken, washed and exposed to sodium nitrite to convert all haemoglobin to methaemoglobin. The rates of glycolysis and methaemoglobin reduction were measured following incubation of these cells in buffers containing 1, 5 or 10 mM inorganic phosphate. Glucose consumption and methaemoglobin reduction were increased by inorganic phosphate and were more rapid in those animals supplemented with nitrate. Lactate production of erythrocytes was reduced in those animals fed nitrate. It is concluded that adaptation to chronic nitrite exposure occurs in the erythron, resulting in greater methaemoglobin reduction potential and that there is competition between NADH-methaemoglobin reductase and lactate dehydrogenase for NADH.

Additional keywords: inorganic phosphate, methaemoglobin reductase.


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