Seasonal variations in ovine urinary constituents, with special reference to pH and potassium concentration
Weaver, A.D.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 32(5): 813-816
1971
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 5577426 Document Number: 34032
Samples of urine were collected by catheter from 20 ewes at pasture at monthly intervals for seven years. Mean urinary pH was 6.3 (minimum, 4.8; maximum 8.2). Values were significantly higher between May and July than in winter months Nov. to March. In years 6 and 7, urinary K conc. was significantly correlated with urinary pH. In the ewes housed after year 7 and fed hay and sugar beet pulp, the pH increased to 8.22+or-0.21, this being significantly different from that of any month in the same sheep at pasture. Urinary conc. of Ca, Mg and inorganic P were low. Proteinuria and ketonuria occurred infrequently in the ewes except in the spring months when lambing took place.