Equine whole saliva: a sample collection system and biochemical analysis
Eckersall, P.D.
Veterinary Record 115(17): 437-438
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 6506433 Document Number: 228383
Saliva was collected from nine pony mares by suction through a special bit made from three layers of cintered Teflon and incorporating a silicon tube connected to a hand pump through a collecting tube. Salivation was stimulated by giving the animal a lemon-flavoured sweet; within ten minutes 3-5 ml of whole saliva was collected. Chemical analysis of the saliva, and of a control (in parentheses) consisting of a sweet dissolved in deionized water, gave the following values: 25 +or- 3.2 mmol/l sodium (0); 15 +or- 2.7 mmol/l potassium (0); 22 +or- 3.5 mmol/l chloride (0); 11.6 +or- 2.0 mmol/l calcium (0.14); 2.05 +or- 0.42 mmol/l magnesium (0.06); 1.75 +or- 0.53 mmol/l phosphate (0.14); 1.6 +or- 0.2 mmol/l urea (0); 2.5 +or- 0.47 g/l protein (0); 4.5 +or- 0.15 pH (3.1); 34 +or- 2.4 mmol/l glucose (24).