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Effect of ammonia on Na+ transport across isolated rumen epithelium of sheep is diet dependent

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Khalid Abdoun ,
Katarina Wolf ,
Gisela Arndt  and
Holger Martens
Khalid Abdoun
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
Katarina Wolf
Affiliation:
Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Free University of Berlin, Oertzenweg 19b, 14163 Berlin, Germany
Gisela Arndt
Affiliation:
Department of Biometrics and Statistics, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Holger Martens*
Affiliation:
Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Free University of Berlin, Oertzenweg 19b, 14163 Berlin, Germany
*
*Corresponding author: Dr H. Martens, fax +49 30 8386 2610, email martens@vetmed.fu-berlin.de
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Abstract

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The cellular uptake of ammonia affects the intracellular pH (pHi) of polar and non-polar cells. A predominant uptake of NH3 and its intra-cellular protonation tend to alkalinise the cytoplasm, whereas a predominant uptake of NH4+ acidifies the cytoplasm by reversing this reaction. Hence, the well-known absorption of ammonia across the rumen epithelium probably causes a change in the pHi. The magnitude and direction of this change in pHi (acid or alkaline) depends on the relative transport rates of NH3 and NH4+. Consequently, the intra-cellular availability of protons will influence the activity of the Na+-H+ exchanger, which could affect transepithelial Na+ transport. The aim of the present study has been to test this possible interaction between ruminal ammonia concentrations and Na+ transport. The term ammonia is used to designate the sum of the protonated (NH4+) and unprotonated (NH3) forms. Isolated ruminal epithelium of sheep was investigated by using the Ussing-chamber technique in vitro. The present results indicate that ammonia inhibits Na+ transport across the rumen epithelium of hay-fed sheep, probably by binding intracellular protons and thus inhibiting Na+-H+ exchange. By contrast, ammonia stimulates Na+ transport in concentrate-fed and urea-fed sheep, which develop an adaptation mechanism in the form of an increased metabolism of ammonia in the rumen mucosa and/or an increased permeability of rumen epithelium to the charged ammonium ion (NH4+). Intracellular dissociation of NH4+ increases the availability of protons, which stimulate Na+ –H+ exchange. This positive effect of ruminal ammonia on Na+ absorption may significantly contribute to the regulation of osmotic pressure of the ruminal fluid, because intraruminal ammonia concentrations up to 40 mmol/l have been reported.

Keywords

RumenSheepNa+ transportAmmonia
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 90 , Issue 4 , October 2003 , pp. 751 - 758
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2003

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