Responses to saline drinking water in offspring born to ewes fed high salt during pregnancy

Physiological, hematological, and biochemical responses in Hararghe-highland lamb subjected to water salinity levels of Lake Basaka in a semiarid area of Ethiopia

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of drinking salinity levels in Lake water on the growth performance, and physiological, and blood constituents of Hararghe-highland lambs. A total of 28 lambs (average IBW of 18 ± 1.18kg) were categorized into four levels of water salinity, namely freshwater (510 mg/l TDS), lake Basaka water (LBW; 2600mg TDS/L); lake Basaka water plus 100% TDS of LBW; 5200mg TDS/L) and lake Basaka water plus 200% TDS of LBW; 7900mg TDS/L). The current results suggest that increased total dissolved solid levels in lake water increase the water intake of lambs while not affecting IBW, FBW, AWG, and FCR. Additionally, drinking saline lake with increasing total dissolved solid levels increased rectal temperature and respiration rate and caused a significant (P < 0.05) change in the concentrations of glucose, albumin, urea, triglycerides, sodium, AST, and ALT. Some hematological variables and biochemical constituents like creatinine, total protein, cholesterol, chlorides, potassium, magnesium, and calcium showed no significant (P > 0.05) differences. In conclusion, Hararghe-highland lambs from Ethiopia could tolerate lake Basaka water with a high salt level (7952 mg/L TDS).

Effect of Increased Salt Water Intake on the Production and Composition of Dairy Goat Milk

Due to its necessity and magnitude, water is essential for animal nutrition. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of increasing levels of water salinity on the quality of goat milk in the Brazilian semiarid region. Twenty-four multiparous Alpine goats, with an average live weight of 38.0 ± 4.0 kg and an average lactation period of 30 days, distributed entirely at random, were used. The experiment lasted 64 days including an initial period of 14 days of adaption to the diet. The experimental treatments consisted of water with different levels of total dissolved solids (TDS): 640, 3188, 5740, and 8326 mg L^-1, obtained using sodium chloride (NaCl). Increasing the levels of TDS in drinking water from 640 to 8326 mg L^-1 did not significantly (p > 0.05) affect the production and the physicochemical composition of the milk. There was a linear increase (p < 0.05) in the water consumption and acidity variables as a function of the total dissolved solid levels. The mineral composition of the milk was not altered with increasing levels of TDS in water from 640 to 8326 mg L^-1. There was no negative effect (p > 0.05) for any of the sensorial attributes analyzed in relation to the treatments. Therefore, as a general conclusion, based on the analyses carried out in this experiment, it was found that water with total dissolved solids, when supplied for short periods of up to 48 days, does not alter the production, physicochemical characteristics, or the organoleptic properties of goat's milk.

Intake salinity water by creole goats in a controlled environment: ingestive behavior and physiological variables

The study aimed to verify the effect of water salinity and environmental temperature on the physiological variables (respiratory rate, heart rate, rectal temperature, and surface temperature) and ingestive behavior (rumination, feeding, drinking, and idle) of creole goats. Thirty-six males with an average age of 5.0 ± 0.6 months and an average weight of 20.0 ± 2.3 kg were housed in metabolic cages. The experimental design was a 2 × 3 type crossover (two temperatures and three levels of salinity). The two temperatures were: T1 = 26 ± 0.6 °C (thermoneutral) and T2 = 32 ± 1.2 °C (stress) and three levels salinity (1.0, 6.0, and 12.0 dS m^-1). Between the temperatures, the respiratory rate (RR) and surface temperature (ST) present a difference (P < 0,05), being higher in the high temperature. Between temperatures, respiratory rate and surface temperature show a difference (P < 0.05), being higher at high temperature, keeping heart rate and rectal temperature similar at both temperatures. Among the different salinity levels in the behavioral activities, the feeding and urination activity presented a significant difference (P < 0.05), increasing with the water's salinity level. Between temperatures, the rumination efficiency dray matter and neutral detergent fiber showed a significant difference (P < 0.05). With increasing air temperature, they decreased the rumination time-water salinity levels influence (P < 0.05) the feeding efficiency of dry matter. Therefore, water with up to 9.600 mg TDS L^-1 can be used strategically in the desedentation of goats in semi-arid regions.

Effects of drinking saline water on food and water intake, blood and urine electrolytes and biochemical and haematological parameters in goats: a preliminary study

Drinking-water availability, both of quantity and quality, critically limits animal farming in semiarid and arid areas, but differences among species exist. The aim of the present study was to investigate goat saline-water tolerance. A group of four castrated adult males were used in a 4-week experimental period, which followed a 2-week pre-trial period and preceded a 1-week post-trial period. Animals were offered alfalfa hay and concentrates at about maintenance level and were allowed consecutively the following five levels of water salinity: 0‰, 0.5‰, 5‰, 10‰ and 20‰ NaCl. Feed and water consumption were recorded daily during trial, while blood- and urine-sample collections were performed weekly. Plasma concentrations of aldosterone, sodium (Na), potassium (K), glucose, creatinine, urea and proteins, and haematological parameters were analysed. Furthermore, urine pH, specific weight and concentrations of Na, K and creatinine were measured, as well as plasma and urine osmolality. Water intake increased until 10‰ NaCl (from 2.0 to 3.2 L/day, P < 0.001) and decreased thereafter to reach 2.5 L/day. Feed intake decreased (from 1.4 to 1.1 kg/day, P < 0.001) and urine excretion increased with an increasing salinity (from 1.12 to 1.47 L/day, P < 0.001). Increasing salinity elevated plasma concentrations of Na (from 143 to 150 mmol/L, P < 0.05), glucose (from 67.50 to 80.75 mg/dL, P < 0.05), urea (from 26.5 to 47 mg/dL, P < 0.01), proteins (from 6.3 to 8.3 g/dL, P < 0.001), osmolality (from 284 to 299 mosm/kg, P < 0.01) and creatinine (from 0.8 to 1.0 mg/dL, P < 0.01) whereas, K, aldosterone and bodyweight remained unaffected. Moreover, urine osmolality (from 317 to 1217 mosm/kg, P < 0.001), specific weight (from 1018 to 1040, P < 0.01), Na (from 55 to 377 mmol/L, P < 0.001) and K (from 144 to 329 mmol/L, P < 0.001) increased, whereas, pH and creatinine were unaffected. Observed changes in other haematological parameters are considered of minor physiological importance. The results indicated that goats can subsist on drinking saline water (up to 20‰ NaCl), for at least 2 weeks without harmful effects.

An Australasian perspective on the role of reproductive technologies in world food production

Industries based on small ruminants are major contributors to world food supply but, in extensive grazing systems, reproductive technology is not directly relevant to most enterprises. More important is the need to respond to demand in high-profit export markets for products that are 'clean, green and ethical' (CGE). This combination of issues led to the concept of CGE management of reproduction that is based on scientific evidence but does not require complex technology. Nutrition is the major challenge because we are limited primarily to the grazing of forages and pastures, but responding to this challenge opens up opportunities-new forages can supply energy and protein whilst improving animal health and welfare, and reducing carbon emissions. A second major factor is the need for accurate coordination of nutritional inputs with reproductive events to ensure that the metabolic signals are appropriate. To control of the timing of reproduction, we need to move beyond simply managing the presence of the male and seek more precision. Our ultimate CGE package is thus based on manipulation of male socio-sexual signals as well as nutrition, in combination with greater use of ultrasound and birth-site management to prevent neonatal mortality. Finally, genetics is critical in the development of the CGE package.It would be difficult to incorporate the entire package in one hit-adaptations are needed to cover variations in genotype and the geographical and socio-economic environment, and some concepts need research and development. Therefore, we have suggested staged introduction of the elements of the package.CGE management can be simple and cost-effective, and improve productivity whilst safeguarding the future of the industries in society and the marketplace. Reproductive technology might not be used by many farmers but it will be an essential tool for realizing the vision because it underpins the acceleration of genetic progress in otherwise tardy grazing industries. Finally, we suggest that the socio-economic drivers and the scientific principles of CGE management are also applicable to smallholders in developing economies.

Salt intake and reproductive function in sheep

Producers have the possibility to combat human-induced dryland salinity by planting salt-tolerant plants such as saltbush. Saltbush has the potential to be used as a source of food for livestock at a time and place where pasture is not viable. However, saltbush contains high concentrations of sodium chloride salt and some other anti-nutritional factors that have the potential to affect feed and water intake and, directly or indirectly, the reproductive capacity of sheep. High-salt diet during gestation induces a small modification of the activity of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) that has an important role in the maintenance of the salt-water balance in non-pregnant and pregnant sheep. In contrast, the main effect of salt ingestion during pregnancy is observed on the biology of the offspring, with changes in the response of the RAS to salt ingestion and altered thirst threshold in response to an oral salt ingestion. These changes, observed later in life, are the result of fetal programming following the ingestion of salt by the mother. It seems that the exposure to salt during pregnancy could provide an advantage to the offspring because of this adaptive response. The response may be particularly useful, for example, when grazing herbivores are fed halophytic forages adapted to saline soils.