Effects of saline water consumption on physiological responses in Nguni goats

The objective was to assess the effect of saline water consumption on physiological responses of indigenous Nguni goats. Thirty six clinically healthy non-lactating female Nguni goats ranging between 16 and 31 kg body weight were assigned to each of three treatments (0, 5.5 and 11 g total dissolved salts per litre (g TDS/L)). Each treatment had 12 goats that were individually penned. Rectal temperatures (RT), pulse rate (PR) and respiration rate (RR) were measured once a week for a total of 56 days. Average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily water intake (ADWI), average daily gain (ADG) and physiological parameters were monitored. Average daily water intake was lowest (P < 0.05) for goats which received 11 g TDS/L compared 5.5 g TDS/L salt in drinking water. Goats on 5.5 g TDS/L salt in drinking water had lower (P < 0.05) ADFI (780.24 vs 678 g/d) compared to 11 g TDS/L salt content. Average daily gain was lower (P < 0.05) in goats which received 5.5 and 11 g TDS/L compared to the control (57.6, 48.3 vs 17 g/d). Pulse rate was fastest (P < 0.05) for goats on 11 g TDS/L compared to the other treatments. These results indicate that depressed ADWI, ADFI, ADG and increased PR are physiological responses of indigenous Nguni goats to drinking saline water.