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Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere 2013; 41(06): 363-370
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1623198
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH

Watering cattle (young bulls) with brackish water – a hazard due to its salt content?

Brackwasser als Tränke für Rinder (Jungbullen) – Risiken durch den hohen Salzgehalt?
C. F. Visscher
1   Institute of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Foundation, Hanover, Germany
,
S. Witzmann
1   Institute of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Foundation, Hanover, Germany
,
M. Beyerbach
2   Institute of Biometry and Information Processing, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Foundation, Hanover, Germany
,
J. Kamphues
1   Institute of Animal Nutrition, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover, Foundation, Hanover, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 18 February 2013

Accepted after revision: 03 September 2013

Publication Date:
05 January 2018 (online)

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Summary

Objective: The aim of this experimental study was primarily to test the effects and reactions of cattle offered salty water as the only source of drinking water. Material and methods: Mineral balance studies were carried out on three bull, continuously fed a ration based on hay, hay cobs, barley, soybean meal and a vitamin/mineral supplement. The salt content of the drinking water varied between the trials (trials I/II/III: 0.10/5.00/10.0 g/l; town water supplemented by different amounts of an additive containing 95.4% sodium chloride and 4.6% potassium chloride). Results: Rising salt concentration of the drinking water led to significantly higher sodium, potassium and chloride intake (sodium: trial I/II/III = 5.42/59.5/ 157 g/day; potassium: trials I/II/III = 108/117/121 g/day; chloride: trials I/II/III = 22.8/112/266 g/day) mainly caused by a significantly higher water intake (trials I/II/III: 21.8 ± 2.03/30.4 ± 3.08/41.5 ± 5.89 kg/day). Amounts of urine increased significantly (trials I/II/III: 3.99 ± 0.46/ 9.66 ± 1.34/20.2 ± 3.14 kg/day). The concentrations of minerals in the urine (sodium: trials I/II/III = 123/3729/6705 mg/kg; potassium: trials I/II/III = 17345/9996/ 5496 mg/kg; chloride: trials I/II/III = 2020/ 9672/11870 mg/kg) and faeces (sodium: trials I/II/III = 1299/6544/ 7653 mg/kg; potassium: trials I/II/III = 6343/3719/3490 mg/kg; chloride: trials I/II/III = 3851/4580/4693 mg/kg) also changed significantly over time. Serum values of sodium tended to decrease (trials I/II/III: 142/137/137 mmol/l) within the phsiological range, whereas those of chloride increased (trials I/II/III: 91.5/95.6/97.5 mmol/l) at higher salt concentrations in drinking water. The haematocrit, pH-value as well as urea content in blood were not affected by the higher salt intake. In balance trial III (highest salt load: 10.0 g/l), sodium intake of the bulls reached 0.57 ± 0.03 g/kg BW (~22.1 ± 0.9 g sodium/kg dry matter feed). Conclusion and clinical relevance: An increase of salinity in drinking water up to 10 g/l – with otherwise harmless water quality – had no measurable negative effects on animal health in the investigation period and subsequent periods (total of 58 days with more than 5.00 g of salt per litre drinking water).

Zusammenfassung

Gegenstand und Ziel: Durchführung von Bilanzstudien zum Mineralstoffhaushalt von Rindern bei unterschiedlichem Salzgehalt des Tränkwassers. Material und Me tho den: Drei Mastbullen erhielten eine bedarfsgerechte Ration basierend auf Heu, Heucobs, Gerste, Sojabohnenextraktionsschrot und vitaminier tem Mineralfutter. Das Tränkwasser enthielt differierende Mengen einer Salzmischung (95,4% NaCl, 4,6% KCl) zur Simulation verschiedener Belastungen des Tränkwasser mit Salz (Bilanz [B] I/II/III: 0,10/5,00/10,0 g/l im Tränkwasser). Ergebnisse: Zunehmende Salzkonzentrationen im Tränkwasser führten zu einer signifikant steigenden Natrium-, Kalium- und Chloridaufnahme (Natrium: B I/II/III = 5,42/59,5/157 g/Tag; Kalium: B I/II/III = 108/117/ 121 g/Tag; Chlorid: B I/II/III = 22,8/112/266 g/Tag), vor allem bedingt durch die signifikant höhere Wasseraufnahme (B I/II/III: 21,8 ± 2,03/ 30,4 ± 3,08/41,5 ± 5,89 kg/Tag). Die Harnausscheidung der Tiere stieg signifikant an (B I/II/III: 3,99 ± 0,46/9,66 ± 1,34/20,2 ± 3,14 kg/Tag). Die zunehmend höhere Elektrolytaufnahme über das Tränkwasser führte zu einer signifikant veränderten Ausscheidung von Elektrolyten über Harn (Natrium: B I/II/III = 123/3729/ 6705 mg/kg; Kalium: B I/II/III = 17345/9996/5496 mg/kg; Chlorid: B I/II/III = 2020/9672/11870 mg/kg) und Kot (Natrium: B I/II/III = 1299/6544/7653 mg/kg; Kalium: B I/II/III = 6343/3719/3490 mg/kg; Chlorid: B I/II/III = 3851/4580/4693 mg/kg). Die innerhalb des Referenzbereichs variierenden Serum-Natriumgehalte sanken mit steigendem Salzgehalt des Tränkwassers signifikant (B I/II/III: 142/137/137 mmol/l), während die Serum-Chloridgehalte anstiegen (B I/II/III: 91,5/95,6/97,5 mmol/l). Hämatokrit, pH-Wert und Harnstoffkonzentration im Blut blieben vom Mineralstoff gehalt des Tränkwassers unbeeinflusst. Beim höchsten Salzgehalt des Tränkwassers erreichte die Natriumaufnahme 0,57 ± 0,03 g/kg KM (entspricht ca. 22,1 ± 0,90 g Natrium/kg Futtertrockensubstanz). Schlussfolgerung und klini sche Relevanz: Die alleinige Erhöhung des Salzgehalts des Tränkwassers auf bis zu 10 g/l – bei ansonsten unbedenklicher Wasserqualität – hatte keine messbar negativen Einflüsse auf die Tiergesundheit im Studienzeitraum (und daran anschließende Zeiträume; insgesamt 58 Tage mit > 5,00 g Salz je Liter Tränkwasser).

Key words

Grazing cattle - brackish water - salt intake - salt water tolerance

Schlüsselwörter

Weiderinder - Brackwasser - Salzaufnahme - Salzwassertoleranz
 

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