Proof-of-concept study: Evaluation of plasma and urinary electrolytes as markers of response to L-asparaginase therapy in dogs with high-grade lymphoma

Response to chemotherapy is one of the most important prognostic factors in dogs with lymphoma. The objective of this feasibility study was to evaluate if clinical responses to a specific cytotoxic agent (L-asparaginase) could be anticipated by measuring analyte concentrations in plasma and urine concentrations of lymphoma-bearing dogs. We hypothesized that potassium and phosphate concentrations in plasma and urine would be higher in dogs that completely responded to therapy. Plasma and urine samples of dogs with lymphoma were obtained before 12 and 24 hours after intramuscular L-asparaginase injections. Peripheral lymph node volumes were evaluated according to the Veterinary Cooperative Oncology Group standardized criteria. Plasma and urine electrolyte, calcium, phosphate, creatinine, urea, total protein, and albumin concentrations were measured, and the fractional excretions of each electrolyte were calculated. Statistical analyses compared complete vs partial responders using a linear regression model. Contrast analyses were also performed to differentiate the mean of each group, with adjustments made with the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure. Fourteen dogs were included, eight with complete responses, and six with partial responses. Plasma phosphate concentrations were significantly higher at 12 hours (P = .0003) and 24 hours (P = .009) after complete responses to therapy. This study demonstrates the potential use of plasma and urine analyte monitoring after chemotherapy induction. Plasma phosphate measurements represent a potential indicator of early responses to L-asparaginase therapy. Larger population studies are warranted to confirm these preliminary results.     

The influence of mineral supplementation on skeleton formation and growth in Lusitano foals

Diets traditionally used in the horse industry are very often imbalanced in mineral composition, mainly in what concerns Ca, P, Mg and Ca/P ratio. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium supplementation of traditional diets, on bone formation and growth in Lusitano breed foals, from weaning to 1 year old. Two homogenous groups of eight colts each received for 140-day iso-energetic and iso-proteic diets, which differed only on Ca, P and Mg levels (respectively, 0.26%, 0.27% and 0.12% vs. 0.56%, 0.43% and 0.18%). Throughout the experiment, blood samples were periodically collected for evaluation of total calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc, intact parathyroid hormone, bone alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin concentrations. Animals were weighed and measured (wither height, hip height, girth and cannon circumference) for body growth evaluation. No significant differences were observed between treatments, with respect to growth, plasmatic concentrations of analysed minerals or biochemical markers. The linearity of growth in both groups is in agreement with studies reported for other light breeds. The observed results could be explained by the fact that calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels in the base diet were close to supply the animal needs for a moderate growth. Further studies concerning the relationship between bone biochemical markers and mineral nutrition, in the growing horse, should consider the evaluation of bone mineral density and content.     

Specific enzyme activities in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as an aid to diagnosis of tracheobronchitis and bronchopneumonia in dogs

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase enzyme activities, and total protein (TP), calcium, inorganic phosphate, urea nitrogen (UN) and creatinine concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were investigated for their relative importance in the diagnosis of respiratory diseases in dogs. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was obtained from 26 dogs (20 with respiratory diseases and six controls) following anaesthesia with sodium pentothal. Enzyme activities and biochemical parameters were measured in BAL fluid. LDH and ALP levels were significantly increased in 12 dogs with bronchopneumonia, but not in eight dogs with tracheobronchitis. Insignificant and variable levels of TP and UN concentrations were found in both groups. It was concluded that LDH and ALP enzyme activities could be considered as pointers to pulmonary inflammation and/or damage while TP and UN measurements in BAL fluid may have a place in the identification of changes in respiratory and vascular permeability.     

Dynamic changes of fatty acids and minerals in sow milk during lactation

The objective of the present study was to explore the changes in fatty acids (FAs) and minerals composition in sow milk in order to improve the knowledge about FAs and mineral requirements for piglets. The FAs and minerals composition in the sow milk samples which were collected from ten sows during a period of 16 days of lactation was analysed. The proportion of FAs in sow milk has a significant increase in C8:0, C10:0, C12:0, C14:0, C16:0, C14:1 and C16:1 FAs and the sum of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) according to the lactation period (p < 0.05). The proportion of C18:2 cis‐9,12 FA and the sum of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) significantly decreased with the advancing of lactation (p < 0.05). The concentrations of minerals, including potassium, copper, manganese and zinc, were higher on day 1 and day 2 than those on day 13 and day 16 (p < 0.05). On the contrary, the lowest concentrations of calcium, sodium, magnesium and iron and the lowest molar calcium: phosphorus ratio emerged in colostrum (p < 0.05). In summary, our results demonstrated FAs profile and minerals concentrations were changed with lactation period. Better understanding of the changes of FAs and minerals may be valuable to swine nutritionists in the commercial industry. In addition, those results provided some meaningful information for sow's diet formulation during lactation.     

Elemental composition, water, and total lipid content in peripheral nerves, spinal cord and brain of healthy adult dogs

Peripheral nerves, spinal cord, and brain of healthy adult dogs were analysed biochemically for sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, iron, aluminium, silicon, total chloride, total tissue water and total lipid content. Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used for elemental quantitation of the hydrochloric acid tissue extracts. Cerebrum and spinal cord had similar values for all parameters measured. Total sodium values were higher in nerves compared to central nervous system (CNS) (brain and spinal cord), while respective values for potassium were lower. Tissue levels of calcium, iron and silicon were comparable in brain, spinal cord and nerves. However, magnesium concentrations were two to three times higher in CNS than in nerves; and the reverse was true for aluminium levels. Tissue concentrations of zinc and copper were marginally higher in CNS than in nerves.     

乳牛骨软症的调查研究

本文对哈尔滨奶牛场发生的以异嗜、跛行等为特征的乳牛疾病进行了调查研究,分析研究了日粮成分,临床表现,血清钙、无机磷、镁和羟脯氨酸的含量及变化,以及尾椎密度的测定值。结果表明,日粮中钙过多,磷、镁供给不足,钙、磷比例过大是致病的主要原因。并分析研究了乳牛血液生化指标的变化和尾椎骨密度的测定法对诊断和监测骨软症和钙、磷、镁代谢动态的意义。     

An appraisal of the in vivo role of phosphate as a modulator of urinary ammonium and titratable acid excretion in the acidotic rabbit

Previous studies have shown that the intravenous infusion of inorganic phosphate increased urinary ammonium excretion 8‐ to 10‐fold in the acidotic rabbit. This was considered to be a very important observation at the time and to be unique to the rabbit. While investigating this finding, we discovered that the formol titration procedure, used to measure urinary ammonium by this research group, is subject to interference by phosphate, casting doubt on the validity of the urinary ammonium excretion data reported by them in the literature. In order to re‐assess the importance of phosphate as a potential modulator of urinary ammonium excretion in the acidotic rabbit, renal net acid excretion studies were carried out in phosphate‐loaded acidotic animals. We observed that while urinary ammonium excretion increased significantly (p < 0.05) after 50 min of phosphate infusion, the maximum concentrations excreted were substantially less than previously reported in the literature. However, through its urinary buffering capacity, we observed that inorganic phosphate, via an experimentally induced phosphaturia, could substantially enhance titratable acid excretion. Contrary to earlier reports, we demonstrated that phosphate plays a relatively minor in vivo modulator role in enhancing renal net acid excretion through the vehicle of ammonium during acute metabolic acidosis in the hyperphosphataemic rabbit. The findings reported in this study constitute an important update on ammonia metabolism in the acidotic rabbit.     

The concentration of ionized magnesium in serum during the periparturient period of non-paretic dairy cows

Ion-selective electrodes have recently been designed for determining the ionized concentration of magnesium (Mg²⁺) in serum. This development may allow new insights into some metabolic diseases of cattle. For this report, the concentrations of Mg²⁺, total magnesium (Mg_tot), ionized calcium (Ca²⁺), total calcium (Ca_tot), and inorganic phosphate (P_i) were determined in sera from seventeen 3-to 16-year-old Brown Swiss and crossed Simmental/Red Holstein cows during the periparturient period. In each animal, a transient increase of Mg²⁺ and Mg_tot serum concentrations was observed in association with the transient decrease in serum concentrations of Ca²⁺, Ca_tot and P_i after parturition. On average, throughout the study, the serum Mg²⁺ concentrations were 68.5% of those of Mg_tot, whereas the serum Ca²⁺ concentrations were 52% of those of Ca_tot. The possible mechanisms involved in the transient increase of Mg²⁺ and Mg_tot serum concentrations are discussed.Abbreviations Ca²⁺ ionized calcium - Ca_tot total calcium - Mg²⁺ ionized magnesium - Mg_tot total magnesium - P_i inorganic phosphate - PTH parathyroid hormone - PTHrP parathyroid homrone related protein     

Increased Water Hardness and Magnesium Levels May Increase Occurrence of Urolithiasis in Cows from the Burdur Region (Turkey)

Objectives of the study were to measure water hardness in Burdur, and to establish its possible association with urolithiasis in cattle. Water samples were obtained from different stables (n = 15). Water hardness and the concentrations of potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, zinc, manganese and copper ions were calculated from these water samples. Total hardness of the samples (mean 285 ppm) exceeded the standards and the water was characterized by high content of magnesium ions. Kidneys (n = 500) were collected randomly from slaughterhouses and examined for urolithiasis. Urolithiasis was observed in 102 kidneys (20.4%). The weights of the stones were between 0.02 and 237.44 g and the colour varied from white to brown. The calculi collected had various shapes and composed of calcium apatite (42.45%), struvite (20.15%), magnesium carbonate (15.15%), calcium carbonate (12.12%), and calcium phosphate cystine (10.13%). It was concluded that high water hardness with high magnesium ion concentrations in water may contribute to urolithiasis and needs to be investigated further in future studies.     

Pharmacokinetics of magnesium and its effects on clinical variables following experimentally induced hypermagnesemia

The objectives of this study were to describe pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes as a result of a single intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄) to healthy horses. MgSO₄ is a magnesium salt that has been used to calm horses in equestrian competition and is difficult to regulate because magnesium is an essential constituent of all mammals. Six healthy adult female horses were administered a single intravenous dose of MgSO₄ at 60 mg/kg of body weight over 5 min. Blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected, and cardiovascular parameters were monitored and echocardiograms performed at predetermined times. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis was applied to plasma concentrations of ionized magnesium (Mg²⁺). Objective data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test with p < .05 used as a determination for significance. Plasma concentrations of Mg²⁺ increased nearly fivefold, ionized calcium (Ca²⁺) decreased by nearly 10%, and the Ca²⁺ to Mg²⁺ ratio declined more than 3.5-fold and remained different than baseline until 24 hr (p < .05). Significant changes were seen with urinary fractional excretion of electrolytes, cardiovascular parameters, and echocardiographic measurements. No changes were detected in CSF electrolyte concentrations. The decrease in Ca²⁺ result of hypermagnesemia supports the interaction between these cations. Alterations detected in plasma electrolyte concentrations and urinary fractional excretion of electrolytes may serve as biomarkers for regulatory control for the nefarious administration of MgSO₄.     

Health and mineral nutrition status of yaks in southern Mustang,Nepal

Biochemical values and mineral concentrations in blood plasma were investigated to evaluate the statuses of health and mineral nutrition among yaks in Mustang District, Nepal. In total, 118 plasma samples of female yaks collected in April and September/October of 2013–2015 were offered. Seventy‐four percent of yaks showed lower plasma total‐cholesterol concentrations than the lowest limit of reference range (100 mg/dL) and the values in spring (83.41 mg/dL) were lower (P < 0.05) than those in autumn (95.05 mg/dL). All the yaks had lower plasma albumin concentrations than the lowest limit of reference range (3.0 g/dL) and 66% of yaks showed lower plasma inorganic phosphorus concentrations than the critical level of phosphorus deficiency (4.5 mg/dL). Thirty‐five percent of yaks showed lower plasma calcium concentrations than the lowest limit of normal range (8 mg/dL) and the concentrations were lower in spring than in autumn (P < 0.01). Seventy‐five percent of yaks presented lower copper concentrations than the critical level (0.65 mg/L) and the concentrations were lower in spring than in autumn (P < 0.01). Since the low plasma total‐cholesterol might have indicated shortage of dry matter and energy intake, attention should be paid to the nutritional statuses of energy, phosphorus, calcium and copper in winter and early spring.     

Canine hyperadrenocorticism: effects of trilostane on parathyroid hormone, calcium and phosphate concentrations

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of treating canine hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) on parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium and phosphate concentrations in dogs. METHODS: Serum calcium, phosphate and PTH concentrations were analysed in 22 dogs with HAC before treatment with trilostane and at a median of 210 days after commencing treatment. Pretreatment data were compared with data from an age- and weight-matched group of hospitalised patients, and post-treatment data were compared with pretreatment data. RESULTS: PTH and phosphate concentrations were significantly higher in dogs with HAC compared with control dogs. PTH concentrations reduced significantly with treatment, such that there was no longer a difference between the HAC and control groups. Phosphate concentrations also reduced significantly with treatment but there was still a significant difference between those in dogs with HAC and control dogs. Despite no significant difference between calcium concentrations in the pretreatment HAC and control groups, calcium concentrations increased significantly with treatment. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results show that adrenal secondary hyperparathyroidism resolves with treatment and suggest that increased calcium and phosphate levels have a role in its pathogenesis.     

Levels of selected minerals,nitric oxide,and vitamins in aborted Sakis sheep raised under semitropical conditions

The serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc and iron and of nitric oxide, retinol, and β-carotene were determined in Sakiz ewes that had experienced an abortion and in healthy controls. Ten healthy and 25 aborted Sakiz sheep were selected from Afyon zone in western Turkey. Their ages ranged between 2 and 4 years weighing between 40 and 60 kg at the time of experiment. All of the abortions occurred in October. The concentrations of retinol, β-carotene, phosphorus, and zinc were significantly lower and those of calcium and nitric oxide were increased in aborted ewes relative to healthy controls. The serum levels of iron, copper, and magnesium were not significantly different among the two groups. In conclusion, abortion is an important problem in commercially important species of ruminants in many regions in the tropics including of western Turkey. Deficiencies of retinol, β-carotene, phosphorus and zinc, and the increase of calcium and nitric oxide concentration may play an important role in the etiology of abortion in ewes. Prophylactic measures such as vitamin and mineral supplementation may be of help to prevent or reduce the incidence of abortion in sheep.     

Effects of dietary substitution of zinc‐methionine for inorganic zinc sources on growth performance,tissue zinc accumulation and some blood parameters in broiler chicks

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of zinc‐methionine (ZnMet) as a replacement for conventional inorganic zinc sources on performance, tissue zinc accumulation and some plasma indices in broiler chicks. A total of 450‐day‐old Ross male broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five pen replicates of nine experimental diets. Dietary treatments consisted of two basal diets supplemented with 40 mg/kg added Zn as feed‐grade Zn sulphate or Zn oxide in which, Zn was replaced with that supplied from ZnMet complex by 25, 50, 75 or 100%. At 42 days of age, three randomly selected birds from each pen were bled to measure plasma metabolites; then, the chicks were slaughtered to evaluate carcass characteristics. Results showed that dietary treatments affected (p < 0.05) feed intake during the starter period, and chicks on Zn oxide diets consumed more feed than sulphate counterparts. Furthermore, dietary substitution of inorganic Zn sources by ZnMet caused improvements (p < 0.01) in body weight gain during all experimental periods. Dietary supplementation of ZnMet improved feed conversion efficiency during 1–21 and 1–42, but not in 21–42 days of age. Complete replacement of inorganic Zn by that supplied from ZnMet caused an increase (p < 0.05) in relative liver weight. Similarly, dietary inclusion of ZnMet increased breast meat and carcass yields and reduced abdominal fat percentage (p < 0.05). Incremental levels of ZnMet increased (p < 0.05) zinc concentrations in liver and thymus, and the highest zinc accumulations were seen in 100% ZnMet‐supplemented birds. Interestingly, introduction of ZnMet into the diets partially in place of inorganic sources resulted in decreases (p < 0.01) in plasma uric acid and triglycerides concentrations. The present findings indicated that dietary ZnMet inclusion in replacement of inorganic sources in addition to improving growth performance, reduced plasma uric acid and triglycerides concentrations, consequently decreased abdominal fat pad and increased carcass meat yield.     

Seminal Plasma Characteristics and Expression of ATP‐binding Cassette Transporter A1 (ABCA1) in Canine Spermatozoa from Ejaculates with Good and Bad Freezability

The composition of seminal plasma and the localization of the ATP‐binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) in spermatozoa from good and bad freezers were compared to frozen–thawed spermatozoa from the same dog. Ejaculates were obtained from 31 stud dogs, and the sperm‐rich fraction (SRF) was kept for analysis. One aliquot was used for the analysis of concentration, progressive motility (P; CASA), viability (V; CASA) and leucocyte count, and the analysis was performed by flow cytometry (FITC‐PNA/PI), SCSA and HOST. In seminal plasma, concentration of albumin, cholesterol, calcium, inorganic phosphate, sodium, potassium, zinc and copper was measured. Semen smears were prepared and evaluated for the expression of ABCA1. The remainder of each ejaculate was frozen. After thawing, the quality assessment was repeated and further smears were prepared. According to post‐thaw semen quality, dogs were assigned to good freezers (n = 20) or bad freezers (n = 11), the latter were defined as < 50% progressive motility and/or > 40% morphologically abnormal sperm and/or < 50% viability. Bad freezers were older than good freezers (5.3 vs 3.4 years, p < 0.05). In bad freezers, the percentage of sperm with ABCA1 signal in the acrosome was lower (26.3% vs 35.7%, p < 0.01) and the percentage of sperm with complete loss of ABCA1 signal higher (46.7% vs 30%, p < 0.01); the percentage of dead spermatozoa was higher (36.1% vs 25.5%, p < 0.05), and the concentration of cholesterol and sodium in seminal plasma was lower than in good freezers (p < 0.05). We conclude that in thawed bad freezer sperm, an increase in acrosome damages coincided with an increased loss of cholesterol transporters and cell death, and a lower cholesterol concentration in seminal plasma. Follow‐up studies revealed whether a relation exists between these findings.     

An investigation of the toxicity of 1alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol to calves

Two calves were treated with 15 micrograms/kg body weight of 1alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol by intramuscular injection on four occasions at seven-day intervals. Anorexia and reduced water consumption persisted for 48 h after each treatment. No clinical signs of iridocyclitis or any other lesions of the eyes were present at any time either macroscopically or microscopically. After the first treatment serum GOT and GD activities increased, serum AP activity fell, serum concentrations of calcium and inorganic phosphate increased, and magnesium concentrations decreased. The reduced serum magnesium concentrations and increased calcium and inorganic phosphate concentrations were maintained for the duration of the experiment, but there was no evidence of a cumulative effect of successive treatments. Blood urea concentrations increased after the third treatment. The gross pathology at post mortem examination was similar to that reported after vitamin D3 supplementation.     

Effect of Prophylactic Calcitriol Administration on Serum Ionized Calcium Concentrations after Parathyroidectomy: 78 Cases (2005–2015)

Background

Prophylactic administration of calcitriol has been suggested to mitigate the risk of hypocalcemia after parathyroidectomy. The effect of calcitriol on postoperative serum ionized calcium concentrations has not been evaluated in dogs after parathyroidectomy.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To determine the effect of prophylactic calcitriol administration on postoperative serum ionized calcium (iCa) concentrations in dogs with primary hyperthyroidism (PHPTH) treated by parathyroidectomy.

Animals

Seventy‐eight dogs with primary hyperparathyroidism treated surgically.

Methods

Multi‐institutional retrospective case study. Medical records from 2005 to 2015 were evaluated. Dogs were included if they had a diagnosis of PHPTH and had surgery to remove parathyroid tissue. Serum iCa concentrations were monitored for a minimum of 2 days postoperatively. Two study groups were evaluated: calcitriol administration and no calcitriol administration.

Results

Serial postoperative iCa concentrations measured at 12‐hour time intervals for 2 days postoperatively were positively associated with preoperative iCa concentrations. This association was evident at each time interval, and the effect of preoperative iCa concentrations on postoperative iCa concentrations decreased as time elapsed (12 hours, P < 0.0001; 24 hours, P < 0.0001; 36 hours, P < 0.04; and 48 hours, P = 0.01). Prophylactic calcitriol administration was not found to be significantly associated with postoperative iCa concentrations or its rate of decrease after parathyroidectomy.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

We found no protective value in administering calcitriol prophylactically to prevent hypocalcemia in the immediate postoperative period (48 hours) after parathyroidectomy. Preoperative iCa concentrations had a significant positive association with postoperative iCa concentrations throughout the monitoring period.     

Standardized total tract digestibility of phosphorus in various inorganic phosphates fed to growing pigs

An experiment was conducted to determine the standardized total tract digestibility (STTD) of phosphorus (P) in five sources of inorganic phosphate fed to growing pigs, including dicalcium phosphate (DCP), monodicalcium phosphate (MDCP), monocalcium phosphate (MCP), tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and monosodium phosphate (MSP, reagent grade). Six barrows (42.4 ± 1.1 kg) individually housed in metabolism crates were allotted to a 6 × 6 Latin square design with six dietary treatments and six periods. Each experimental period consisted of a 4 day adaptation period and a 5 day collection period. The five experimental diets contained 0.24 to 0.34% of P from each inorganic phosphate as a sole source of P. A P‐free diet was also prepared to estimate the basal endogenous loss of P. The STTD of P in MSP (94.9%) was not different from the STTD of P in MCP (93.0%), but was greater (P < 0.05) than that in DCP, MDCP and TCP (87.0, 86.5 and 71.3%, respectively). In conclusion, digestibility of P in reagent‐grade MSP was greater than that in feed‐grade inorganic phosphates such as DCP, MDCP and TCP, and digestibility of P in DCP and MDCP was greater than that in the TCP.     

Intermittent bolus injection versus continuous infusion of furosemide in normal adult greyhound dogs

Several studies in human subjects have demonstrated greater diuresis with constant rate infusion (CRI) furosemide than intermittent bolus (IB) furosemide. This study was conducted to compare the diuretic efficacy of the same total dose of IB furosemide and CRI furosemide in 6 healthy, adult Greyhound dogs in a randomized crossover design with a 2-week washout period between treatments. For IB administration, dogs received 3 mg/kg at 0 and 4 hours. For CRI administration, dogs received a 0.66 mg/kg loading dose followed by 0.66 mg/kg/h over 8 hours. The same volume of fluid was administered for both methods. Urine output was quantified hourly. Urine electrolyte concentrations, urine specific gravity (USG), packed cell volume (PCV), total protein (TP), serum electrolyte concentrations, total carbon dioxide (TCO2), serum creatinine (sCr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were determined every 2 hours. Urine production and water intake were greater (P < or = 0.05) for CRI than IB. Urine sodium and calcium losses were greater (P < 0.05) and urine potassium loss was less (P = 0.03) for CRI than IB, but there was no evidence of a difference between methods for urine magnesium and chloride losses. Serum chloride concentration was less (P < 0.001), sCr concentration greater (P = 0.04). TP greater (P = 0.01), and PCV greater (P = 0.003) for CRI than IB. No differences in USG, TCO2, BUN, or serum potassium, sodium, and magnesium concentrations were detected between methods. The same total dose of CRI furosemide resulted in more diuresis, natriuresis, and calciuresis and less kaliuresis than IB furosemide in these normal Greyhound dogs over 8 hours, suggesting that furosemide is a more effective diuretic when administered by CRI than by IB.     

Influence of animal age on body concentrations of minerals in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

Mathematical modelling of the relationships between mineral inputs and outputs would enable the prediction of mineral requirements of poultry under a wide range of conditions. To establish the feasibility of possible modelling of mineral requirements, the current study aimed to describe the individual mineral concentrations of whole bodies of quail over the life cycle from hatching to 70 days of age. Quail were reared indoors without any restrictions that could limit growth. Sampling of birds (n = 6–18) was carried out at 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 35, 49 and 70 days after hatching. Freeze‐dried samples of whole bodies (digestive contents removed) were analysed for ash, and macrominerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium) and microminerals (copper, iron, manganese, nickel, selenium, zinc). Ash concentration followed a curvilinear trend, with a maximum of 101.7 g/kg dry matter at 32.77 days. Individual mineral concentrations, expressed as a proportion of ash, were fluctuating over time, with the most prominent changes at 3 days and again at either 14 or 21 days. Dissimilar patterns in individual mineral concentrations resulted that ratios between minerals followed inconsistent patterns over time. Although mineral contents in absolute quantities can be described through modelling over the entire life cycle of the bird, it can be concluded that variable concentrations of individual minerals could complicate further model development.