Effect of a High Phosphorus Diet on Acid-Base Balance in Guinea Pigs.

Abstract

Injurious effects of high phosphorus diets for the guinea pig, which include poor growth, metastatic calcification, and death, are due in part to the fact that this animal does not tolerate an acid diet. This has been demonstrated by the marked drop in urine pH, a decrease in plasma carbon dioxide capacity and an increase in blood inorganic phosphorus. Addition of various cations produced a more alkaline urine, but a combination of sodium or potassium and magnesium proved most beneficial. The guinea pig is highly sensitive to an acid diet because a negligible amount of ammonia is excreted by way of the kidneys.