The current work was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary minerals
intake and minerals status in animal body on minerals concentration in saliva and
urine of buffaloes. Twelve dairy buffaloes and 12 growing heifers almost similar in age
and live body weight were fed traditional summer' and winter rations. Also, two
metabolism trails were conducted using barki rams to determine minerals balance of
these rations. Samples of saliva, urine and feedstuffs were taken two times through
the experimental period after three months of feeding traditional summer and winter
rations for minerals determination.
The contents and intake of P, Mg, Na and In were higher, but the contents
and intake of Ca, K, Cu, Mn and Fe were lower significantly (P<0.05) for summer
ration compared with winter ration. Moreover, the concentrations of P, Na, K and In in
saliva and the concentrations of Mg, Na and K in urine increased significantly
(P<0.05) with increasing the intake of these elements. However, the concentrations of
Ca, Mg, Cu, Mn and Fe in saliva and the concentrations of Ca, P, Cu, In, Mn and Fe
in urine were not significantly (P> 0.05) affected by the intake of these elements.
The concentrations Ca, Mg and Mn were higher and the concentrations of P, Na, K
and Cu were lower significantly (P<0.05) in saliva of dairy buffaloes compared with
their growing heifers. While, the concentrations of In and Fe were not differing
significantly (P>0.05). Moreover, the concentrations of Ca, P, Mg, Cu, In, Mn and Fe
were higher significantly (P<0.05) in urine of growing heifers in comparison with dairy
buffaloes. While, the concentrations of Na and K were nearly similar.