ASSESSMENT OF MINERAL STATUS OF TWICE-YEARLY LAMBING YANKASA EWES

SODIUM AND POTASSIUM CONCENTRATIONS IN THE SALIVA OF TWICE-YEARLY LAMBING YANKASA EWES

Abstract

Changes in the concentrations of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) in saliva were monitored in order to assess the status of these cations in twice-yearly lambing ewes. Five pregnant ewes in late gestation were sampled once per week for 8 weeks before lambing and 8 weeks post-partum. Values (meq/litre) obtained (187.4-190.5 and 8.7-9.3) for Na and K respectively in the saliva of both pregnant and lactating Yankasa ewes did not show any evidence of deficiency for the two cations.