Non protein nitrogen Flashcards
1
Q
Nonprotein nitrogen (NPN) source
A
- Urea in improper doses
- ammonium salts/ ammoniated feed products
2
Q
properties of NPN
A
- liberate ammonia
- rumen microflora change urea to ammonia and CO2
- aminates ketoacids to amino acids
3
Q
NPN toxicosis
A
- amino acids form bacterial protein
- converted then to animal protein
- alkaline pH enhances hydrolysis
4
Q
Factors affects NPN toxicity
A
- species (ruminants and horses most susceptible)
- compound (urea is most toxic)
- animals less than a year old
- fasted animals
- dehydrated animals
5
Q
Usual ration of urea in grain ration vs. total ration
A
3% in grain
1% in total
6
Q
Toxic dose in cattle that have not been previously exposed to NPN
A
0.45 g/ kg
7
Q
Age range that is tolerant of NPN
A
3-6 weeks
8
Q
Feed that is rich in urease
A
- soybean
- increases toxicity
- high fiber diets as well
9
Q
NPN ionization
A
- ammonia produced in the rumen at normal pH is non ionized
- ammonia produced in an alkaline rumen is non ionized
10
Q
Processing of non ionized ammonia
A
- can cross cell membranes, BBB and placenta
- absorbed by liver
- converted to urea
- excreted in the urine
11
Q
Too much ammonia =
A
hyperammonemia
12
Q
MOA of NPN
A
- Ammonia inhibits the citric acid cycle
- no energy, decreased cellular respiration, tissue damage
13
Q
Death from NPN can be
A
cardiac or respiratory
14
Q
Clinical signs of NPN
A
- rapid onset (30 min to 3 hours)
- restlessness, aggression, tremors, teeth grinding
- Bloat, rumen stasis, colic
- sternal recumbency while standing on hind legs
- death in 1-2 hours
15
Q
Lesions form NPN
A
- no particular ones
- mainly due to vascular damage
- ammonia odor
- very bloated dead animals
