Muzzle Secretion Electrolytes as a Possible Indicator of Sodium Status in Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Calves: Effects of Sodium Depletion and Aldosterone Administration

Abstract

In two separate experiments, the effects of sodium depletion and aldosterone administration on sodium and potassium concentrations in muzzle secretion, saliva and urine were studied in buffalo calves. Sodium deficiency in the animals was experimentally produced by unilateral parotid saliva deprivation for 18 days. During sodium depletion, the sodium levels in saliva and muzzle secretion gradually fell while the potassium level gradually rose. The concentrations of both of these cations in urine gradually fell during the course of sodium depletion .. Aldosterone administration in normal (sodium-replete) animals simulated .the effects of sodium depletion as far as cationic changes in saliva were concerned. However, aldosterone did not affect sodium and potassium concentration in the urine and in muzzle secretion in a manner similar to that caused by sodium depletion. Though the hormone decreased urinary sodium without affecting urinary potassium, it did not affect the muzzle sodium or potassium.Results suggest that aldosterone affects the composition of saliva and urine in buffaloes as it does in sheep and other ruminants. Similar changes in composition of muzzle secretion and saliva during sodium depletion indicate that the concentration of sodium in muzzle secretion could possibly be used to evaluate the sodium status of animals.

Urinary sodium excretion and the renin‐aldosterone system in new‐born calves.

“…These findings are in agreement with reports in other species. Aldosterone infusion into 118-day-old fetal sheep (20 #ug/fetus) decreased the urinary Na+ concentration without modifying urine flow rate (Lingwood, Hardy, Coghlan & Wintour, 1978) and in Na+-depleted buffalo calves, administration of 2 ,sg/kg aldosterone over a 5 h period produced a gradual decrease in urinary Na+ without affecting urinary K+ (Kumar & Singh, 1981). In new-born calves, the effect of aldosterone on urinary Na+ rapidly disappeared during the 18 h following hormonal infusion (Fig.…”

Is animal saliva a prominent factor in pasture regrowth?

“…Though little research has been undertaken on the extent of plant growth promoting ions in livestock saliva, there are studies on electrolytes (i.e. sodium, chloride, and potassium) in livestock for other areas of research such as patterns during oestrus and pregnancy (Devi et al 2016;Mojsym et al 2022), in calves (Kumar and Singh 1981), and in long term research on electrolyte changes (Grimm et al 2021). Whilst the physiochemical interactions of free ions are likely limited to their influence over osmotic potential (and increasing cellular turgor pressure), induction of signal cascades by increase in ion abundance (such as potassium which affects plant hexokinase activity) is observed in both plant and animal cells (Alberts et al 2002).…”