[Absorption of calcium by growing goats: effect of oxalates]

The influence of sodium oxalate and calcium oxalate upon calcium digestibility was studied in growing goats. Furthermore, and in the same animals, calcium absorption efficiency was estimated after performing duodenal fistula which allowed us to introduce calcium chloride or calcium oxalate and sodium oxalate, in order to avoid ruminal bacteria action upon the forementioned compounds. Finally, calcium absorption of an isolated intestine loop was studied in conscious goats with a Crocker Markowitz fistula, in the presence or absence of oxalate. The addition of sodium oxalate to the diet did not significantly decrease calcium absorption; but when calcium was given as oxalate, absorption was considerably lower. When calcium was introduced as calcium chloride through duodenal fistula, absorption was the same as when the substance was given in the diet. Calcium absorption drastically decreased when sodium oxalate was introduced directly into the duodenum, this fact is confirmed when calcium absorption is estimated in a jejunal loop, which shows that the differences found in relation to the effect of dietary sodium oxalate or directly introduced in duodenum are due to the substance destruction by ruminal bacteria.