ELECTROLYTES – SODIUM, POTASSIUM AND CHLORIDES IN POULTRY NUTRITION

Abstract

Sodium, potassium and chlorides play a crucial role in maintaining body acid-base balance as well as osmotic pressure in body fluids. These processes are the result of synergetic action of all three elements, and the role of each individual component is diffi cult to defi ne without knowing and taking into consideration the other two elements. The maintenance of this value is determined by three major factors – balance and ratio of
electrolytes in feed, endogenous acid production and level of renal activity. Electrolyte imbalance is quite rare, since body’s buff ering system provides maintenance of normal physiological pH value. Th is article will give an overview of the role, importance and needs of poultry for sodium, potassium and chlorides, as well as occurrences related to defi cit and the imbalance of those elements in feed.