Energy costs of ion pumping by animal tissues

Results from recent in vitro studies indicate that in excess of 20% of the energy expenditure of skeletal muscle, duodenal epithelium and liver of domestic ruminants is to achieve Na+ and K+ transport across the plasma membrane. The energy cost of active Ca2+ transport is less clear but is likely less than 10% of the total expenditure of skeletal muscle at rest. Energy expenditure on Na+ and K+ transport was quite sensitive to the physiological state of the animal. During lactation, Na+ and K+ transport accounted for nearly half of the in vitro O2 uptake of skeletal muscle, duodenal epithelium and liver. The energetic cost of supporting Na+ and K+ transport was also elevated in young, as compared with older animals, by feed intake and by exposure to cold. Na+ and K+ transport appears to be a substantial component of the maintenance energy expenditure of ruminant tissues. Its variation, therefore, implies that change of maintenance energy expenditures with physiological state of the animal warrants serious attention.