Alkalinizing effect of intravenous electrolyte solutions with high sodium lactate concentrations infused in healthy calves

The alkalinizing effects of electrolyte solutions with high concentration of sodium lactate were evaluated in healthy calves. Six solutions were formulated containing 28, 56 and 84mEq/L of lactate (L28, L56 and L84) or bicarbonate (B28, B56 and B84), and sodium, potassium and calcium concentrations similar to the lactated Ringer's solution (LRS). The solutions containing sodium bicarbonate were used as a standard for comparison. Six calves received all six solutions intravenously, one at a time, with an interval of four to five days between the infusions, in a volume corresponding to 10% of body weight, during five hours (20mL/kg/h). Venous blood and urine samples were taken prior to the beginning of the infusion, at a half volume, at the end and two and a half hours after the end of the infusion. Total plasma protein concentration, urinary and blood pH, blood pCO₂, HCO₃ ^- and BE, plasma and urine L lactate concentration and serum and urine Na⁺, K⁺, Cl^- and creatinine concentrations were measured. The L28 solution, equal to LRS, caused a slight increase in the alkaline reserve, producing an alkalinizing effect insufficient for correction of metabolic acidosis states. The L84 solution was safe and produced the greater increase in the alkaline reserve, equivalent to B84 solution, and suitable for correcting a moderate degree of metabolic acidosis.

calf; -base balance; fluid therapy; metabolic acidosis