Saliva Urea Nitrogen (SalUN) of Bali Cattle (Bos javanicus) Fed Grass or Complete Diet: A Preliminary Study on the Utilization of Saliva as a Non-Invasive Specimen

by Open Science Repository Agriculture
(June 2013)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the possibility of saliva to be used as a medium for the measurement of blood urea (BUN) levels, as an indicator of the suitability of protein intake in ruminants. Six 2-years-old female Bali cattle (Bos sondaicus/javanicus) which divided into two groups i.e., I (n = 3) were given a ration of 90% concentrate with 10% forage, and group II (n = 3) 0% concentrate. Urea levels in the saliva (SalUN) and the BUN were measured photometrically, using a commercial kit available on the market, commonly used in a standard laboratory. There were no significant differences (P> 0.05) between SalUN and BUN in the same treatment group. Urea concentrations differed significantly (P<0.001) between two groups either saliva or blood urea. In the group I, SalUN levels were 40.07 ± 1.86 mg/dl and BUN 40.50±1.32 mg/dl, which were significantly higher (P<0.001) compared with group II: 8.33 ± 2.62 mg/dl in the saliva and 9.67 ± 3.69 mg/dl in the blood. It was concluded that saliva can be used as a non-invasive medium to measure the levels of urea as an indicator of diet quality fed by ruminants. Further study needs to be carried out with a larger sample and wider area coverage.

Keywords: saliva, urea, Bos sondaicus/javanicus, Bali cattle, non-invasive.

Full text

Saliva Urea Nitrogen (SalUN) of Bali Cattle (Bos javanicus) Fed Grass or Complete Diet: A Preliminary Study on the Utilization of Saliva as a Non-Invasive Specimen