Changes in the salivary sodium:potassium ratio in lactating cows in response to changes in sodium intake

N.R. Towers

Ruakura Animal Research Station, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hamilton

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1983, 43: 131-134

The rate at which the Na:K ratio of parotid saliva changes with changes in Na intake has been determined in lactating dairy cows. The salivary Na:K ratio of cows with an already marginal Na status fell immediately the animals were transferred to a Na deficient diet. Similarly the Na:K ratio of Na deficient cows incr3eased within days of Na supplementation reaching maximum levels after 2 weeks. The mean Na:K ratio for fully sodium replete cows was about 24 to 28:1, but there was considerable variation in the values for individual animals.

Keywords: NZSAPAB; Parotid saliva: sodium:potassium ratio; lactating dairy cows; sodium intake

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Last Updated 03-05-1997