Tritiated water for estimating total body water and water turnover rate in birds

1981 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 1183-1188 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. Degen ◽  
B. Pinshow ◽  
P. U. Alkon ◽  
H. Arnon
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Water Intake ◽  
Total Body Water ◽  
Turnover Rate ◽  
Tritiated Water ◽  
Total Water ◽  
Water Turnover ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Chukar Partridges

The use of tritiated water (TOH) to estimate total body water (TBW) and total water turnover rate was validated in chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar) and sand partridges (Ammoperdix heyi). For six chukar partridges weighing between 315 to 475 g, TOH equilibration with body fluids was less than 45 min after intramuscular or intravenous injections. Mean TOH space in eight chukar partridges was 99.8% of the mean TBW measured by desiccation with individuals ranging between 97.9 and 103.2%. TOH space best approximated TBW when TBW was calculated by using the mean body mass for a bird weighed at TOH injection and at TOH equilibration. Total water intake as estimated by TOH ranged between 90.7 and 113.3% of measured water intake in three sand and three chukar partridges, birds ranging in mass from 145 to 446 g. We conclude that the TOH method provides accurate estimations of TBW and water turnover rates in birds. For birds of up to 500-g body mass, we recommend 45 min for TOH equilibration with body fluids, and intramuscular injections of 0.05 muCi TOH/g body mass for TBW estimations and 0.1 muCi TOH/g body mass for water turnover estimations.

Can tritiated water-dilution space accurately predict total body water in chukar partridges?

1985 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 1383-1388 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. G. Crum ◽  
J. B. Williams ◽  
K. A. Nagy
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Total Body Water ◽  
Tritiated Water ◽  
Body Water ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Constant Mass ◽  
Oven Drying ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Water Dilution ◽  
Chukar Partridges

Total body water (TBW) volumes determined from the dilution space of injected tritiated water have consistently overestimated actual water volumes (determined by desiccation to constant mass) in reptiles and mammals, but results for birds are controversial. We investigated potential errors in both the dilution method and the desiccation method in an attempt to resolve this controversy. Tritiated water dilution yielded an accurate measurement of water mass in vitro. However, in vivo, this method yielded a 4.6% overestimate of the amount of water (3.1% of live body mass) in chukar partridges, apparently largely because of loss of tritium from body water to sites of dissociable hydrogens on body solids. An additional source of overestimation (approximately 2% of body mass) was loss of tritium to the solids in blood samples during distillation of blood to obtain pure water for tritium analysis. Measuring tritium activity in plasma samples avoided this problem but required measurement of, and correction for, the dry matter content in plasma. Desiccation to constant mass by lyophilization or oven-drying also overestimated the amount of water actually in the bodies of chukar partridges by 1.4% of body mass, because these values included water adsorbed onto the outside of feathers. When desiccating defeathered carcasses, oven-drying at 70 degrees C yielded TBW values identical to those obtained from lyophilization, but TBW was overestimated (0.5% of body mass) by drying at 100 degrees C due to loss of organic substances as well as water.

RESPONSE OF LACTATING EWES TO SNOW AS A SOURCE OF WATER

1981 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. DEGEN ◽  
B. A. YOUNG
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Total Body Water ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Feeding Period ◽  
Total Water ◽  
Water Turnover ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Reduced Water

Eight Suffolk-cross ewes, each nursing a ram-lamb, were kept in a snow-covered field and were individually offered 2 kg of dehydrated alfalfa pellets daily. Half the ewes were denied water from the 4th to 14th wk of lactation but had access to snow as a water source (snow ewes), while the others were offered water during the daily feeding period (water ewes). The ewes readily accepted snow as their source of water. The total water turnover of the snow ewes was approximately 35% less than that of the water ewes; however, this reduced water intake did not affect their milk yield, total body water, or hemactocrit. The liveweight and total body solids of the ewes and energy content of the milk were not significantly different in the two groups. The weight gain of the lambs from the two groups of ewes was not significantly different, averaging 118 and 105 g/day for lambs from the water and snow ewes, respectively.

Estimation of water content by tritium dilution of animals subjected to rapid live-weight changes

1969 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. R. McManus ◽  
R. K. Prichard ◽  
Carolyn Baker ◽  
M. V. Petruchenia
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Total Body Water ◽  
Compensatory Growth ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Tritiated Water ◽  
Body Water ◽  
Under Nutrition ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Total Body

SUMMARYThe use of tritiated water to estimate total body-water content of animals experiencing recovery from under-nutrition was studied.The time for equilibration of tritiated water (TOH), given intraperitoneally, with total body water (TBW) was determined in rabbits and in rats. As judged by the specific activity of blood water, equilibration had occurred by 76–125 min in the rabbit and did not appear to be affected by the plane of nutrition. However, between slaughter groups the specific activity of water obtained from the liver 180 min after injection of TOH was significantly different from the specific activity of water simultaneously obtained from the blood plasma. It is concluded that the liver is not a suitable tissue to use for testing achievement of equilibration.As judged by the specific activity of blood water compared to that of water from the whole body macerate, equilibration in mature rats either in stable body condition or undergoing rapid compensatory growth occurred in less than 60 min.A trial comparing TOH-space (corrected by 3% body weight) and actual TBW (by desiccation) was conducted on thirty rabbits which experienced under-nutrition followed by compensatory growth.Prior to under-nutrition the agreement between actual and estimated TBW was satisfactory and within 2·3%. During compensatory growth the agreement was poor— the TOH values over-estimating actual TBW by about 12%.A trial with mature rats confirmed the findings with rabbits. For rats in stable body weight the mean estimated TOH-space for fourteen animals was within 1·2% of the actual TBW. For fourteen rats undergoing compensatory growth the mean estimated TOH-space (corrected by 3% body weight) overestimated actual TBW by 6·2%.

Rates of Water Turnover in Marsupials and Eutherians: a Comparative Review With New Data on the Tasmanian Devil.

1978 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 465 ◽  
Author(s):  
SC Nicol
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Turnover Rate ◽  
Tritiated Water ◽  
Tasmanian Devil ◽  
Turnover Rates ◽  
Water Turnover ◽  
Comparative Review ◽  
Lactating Females ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Sarcophilus Harrisii

Water turnover rates of Tasmania devils, Sarcophilus harrisii, were measured under standardized conditions by use of tritiated water. Total body water of lactating females was lower than in non- lactating animals, while water turnover rates per kilogram were not significantly different, due to a higher rate constant for lactating animals. Mean water turnover rates were considerably higher than predicted from other marsupial studies. Statistical analysis of data from 13 species of marsupial and 27 eutherian species showed habitat to have a far greater effect on standard water turnover rate than phylogeny.

Water content and water turnover in beef cattle

1968 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 129
Author(s):  
PH Springell
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Turnover Rate ◽  
Tritiated Water ◽  
Body Water ◽  
The Body ◽  
Turnover Rates ◽  
Water Turnover ◽  
Poor Diet ◽  
The Mean

Twenty-four steers, comprising British (Hereford and Hereford x Shorthorn), Zebu (Africander), and Zebu cross (British x Brahman or Africander) breeds, were either maintained on pasture, or yarded and fed on diets of a low and a high nutritional value. Tritiated water was injected into the animals on five occasions at intervals of 3 months. The body water content and the water turnover rate were calculated, and some of the sources of variation defined. Observed differences in the water content are attributable to nutritional factors rather than to breed differences. The mean body water content ranged from 615 to 809 ml/kg fasting body weight, where the higher values were associated with a poor diet. The mean half-life of tritiated water was lower in summer (as low as 58 hr) than in winter (up to 128 hr) in grazing and well-fed yarded steers. On a poor diet, however, the half-life in yarded cattle remained high and almost constant throughout the year, dropping to below 100 hr on only a single occasion. Occasionally the half-life was breed dependent, but generally no significant differences between breeds could be found. While mean turnover rates of up to 7.1 ml kg-1 hr-1 were found in better-fed cattle in summer, the value in poorly fed animals was almost constant throughout the year at about 3.3 ml kg-1 hr-1. There was, however, a winter minimum in the well-fed yarded and grazing groups. The turnover rate was also influenced by breed only to a limited extent. The results are interpreted in the light of their possible significance in the adaptation to a tropical environment, and in relation to their value in predicting the body composition.

The effect of dehydration on Sudanese desert sheep and goats

1986 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. M. El-Hadi
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Temperature ◽  
Extracellular Space ◽  
Total Body Water ◽  
Tritiated Water ◽  
The Body ◽  
Water Turnover ◽  
Sheep And Goats ◽  
Fluid Compartments ◽  
Total Body

SUMMARYChanges in body weight and body temperature were observed in Sudanese desert sheep and goats, which had been subjected to the summer sun (20 °C min. to 42 °C max.), given water normally and then deprived of water for 3 days. Tritiated water was also used to measure total body water and water turnover in these animals together with measurements of plasma and extracellular space, intracellular fluid volume and blood osmolality. The body weight and the size of the fluid compartments decreased in the two species at varying degrees associated with haemoconcentration. The extent of some changes was more marked in sheep than in goats, suggesting better adaptation of the former species to desert life.

Effect of cold exposure on water requirements on three species of small mammals

1977 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Deavers ◽  
J. W. Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Turnover Rate ◽  
Tritiated Water ◽  
Metabolic Rates ◽  
Water Requirements ◽  
Water Turnover ◽  
Blarina Brevicauda ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Total Body ◽  
White Footed Mouse

Water turnover rate (WTR) was determined from tritiated water (3H2O) loss in the short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda), red-backed vole (Clethrionomys gapperi), and white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus). When given ad libitum water at Ta of 20 degrees, B. brevicauda, C. gapperi, and P. leucopus turned over 16.2, 13.8, and 6.2 ml/day, respectively; minimum WTR was 9.9, 7.8, and 3.5 ml/day, respectively. When they were given ad libitum water at 5 degrees C, WTR was 1.4 to 1.6 times higher than at 20 degrees C. On minimum water rations, WTR at 5 degrees C was 1.7 to 1.9 times higher than at 20 degrees C. Since increases in VO2 at 5 degrees C and at 20 degrees C were of about the same magnitude, increased metabolic rates may have caused increased water requirements. Total body water (TBW) was calculated from 3H2O dilution. On minimum water rations, the three species at both Ta's showed decreases in TBW and body weight, but percent body H2O increased.

Game domestication for animal production in Kenya: prediction of water intake from tritiated water turnover

1978 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 513-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. King ◽  
P. O. Nyamora ◽  
M. R. Stanley-Price ◽  
B. R. Heath
Keyword(s):  
Water Intake ◽  
Tritiated Water ◽  
Body Water ◽  
The Body ◽  
East African ◽  
Water Turnover ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Water Space ◽  
Metabolic Water

SummaryFive male animals of each of the following species, zebu, eland, small East African goat, fringe-eared oryx and Dorper sheep, were penned, and their water intake measured and metabolic water production estimated. The figures for water input were compared with simultaneous measurements of body-water turnover by liquid scintillation counting of tritiated water in plasma, following dioxane precipitation. It was found that the resultant regression was sufficiently linear with the intercept near zero to justify the use of a ratio to predict input from turnover. The tritiated water turnover overestimated the water input by an amount approximately equal to the overestimate of the body water pool by the tritiated water space. Although there was a considerable amount of variation in individual ratios which could not be explained, there was no significant difference in the mean ratios between species.

Fat-Tailed Awassi and German Mutton Merino Sheep Under Semi-Arid Conditions. 1. Total Body Water, its Distribution and Water Turnover

1977 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 693-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. A. Degen
Keyword(s):  
Total Body Water ◽  
Tritiated Water ◽  
Extracellular Fluid ◽  
Body Water ◽  
Temperate Climate ◽  
Water Turnover ◽  
Arid Conditions ◽  
Natural Pasture ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Semi Arid

SUMMARYThe total body water (TBW), its distribution and water turnover were measured in native fat-tailed Awassi sheep, a breed well adapted to desert conditions, and in imported German Mutton Merino (GMM) sheep, a breed that evolved in a temperate climate, under semi-arid conditions.TBW (tritiated water space;TOH space), extracellular fluid volume (SCN-space) and plasma volume (T·1824 space) were measured during the summer while these sheep grazed natural pasture that remained as dried stem-cured hay and in the winter while they grazed lush natural pasture. No differences were found between the breeds in any of the measurements in both seasons. Within both breeds, the percentage TOH and SCN-spaces were larger in the summer whereas the percentage T·1824 space remained the same.TBW and water turnover were measured in these breeds in eight trials while the sheep grazed native pasture in the autumn, winter and spring, shrubs in the winter and legumes in the summer. Water and shade were freely and easily accessible throughout the grazing period. The TBW was found to be consistently lower in the Awassi, indicating a higher energy reserve. The water turnover in 1/24 h/kg wt.0·82 was found to be higher in the GMM in all trials; the differences ranged between 3 and 28%. However, in only two out of the eight trials were the differences significant. Thus, the water turnoverwas only slightly lower in the Awassi although this breed evolved under Middle Eastern arid and semi-arid regions.

Water content and turnover of identical twin Bos indicus and B. taurus in Kenya

1966 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. V. Macfarlane ◽  
B. Howard
Keyword(s):  
Water Content ◽  
Water Intake ◽  
Total Body Water ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Body Water ◽  
Identical Twin ◽  
Water Turnover ◽  
Grazing Cattle ◽  
Total Body

The water content and turnover of six pairs of identical twin cattle were measured in the Kenya highlands. Three pairs were stall fed, and one twin of each pair received water daily. Their water turnover averaged 14.21./24 hr. while the others watered each 4 days had an average turnover of 12.41./24 hr. These stall-fed animals used 74-132 ml./kg.0.82/ 24 hr., about one-third the water turned over by grazing cattle (261-364 ml./kg.0.82/24 hr.). There was little relationship between estimates of water intake measured from the trough and that derived from tritium dilution.Members of each grazing pair differed in weight by an average of 4.2% and their total body water by 5.9%, whereas the water turnover differed by only 2.2% amongst the twin pairs.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document