The effect of altering the cation-anion content with calcium and phosphorus on the digestion of dry matter and amino acids on energy utilization [Chicks, feed utilization]

Chicks, 30 days old, were fed a corn-soybean meal diet containing different concentrations of cation and anion to determine the effect of acid-base balance on the digestion of dry matter and amino acids and on energy utilization. The concentrations of cation and anion were altered by varying the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the diet. Excess cation (cation minus anion) was negatively correlated (P less than .01) to dry matter digestion, amino acid digestion, and nitrogen-corrected metabolizable energy (MEn) content of the diet. The digestion of the individual amino acids was also affected by excess cation in the diet.