Balance of net base in the rat. IV. Effects of oral calcium and phosphate loading

Mineral and net base balances were studied in groups of male weanling Wistar rats given oral loads of calcium chloride, monocalcium phosphate plus monosodium phosphate, and disodium phosphate plus monopotassium phosphate, respectively. A group of adult nongrowing rats loaded with calcium chloride was included for comparison. In response to CaCl2 loading, gastrointestinal net base absorption was inhibited due, largely, to luminal precipitation of tertiary phosphates of calcium and magnesium. In the weanling animal, however, a rise in the rate of renal net acid excretion matched the concomitant decrement in the rate of net base absorption, permitting of continued skeletal net base storage. Similarly, in the adult animals augmented renal net acid excretion offset a positive rate of gastrointestinal net acid absorption with a resultant (normal) zero net base balance. Loading with monocalcium phosphate and disodium phosphate at a constant oral net base intake did not influence the overall net base balance, but disodium phosphate loading caused significant sodium retention.