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Springer 2007
Veterinary Research Communications, 31 (2007) 665671DOI: 10.1007/s11259-007-0058-8 C
S. Sahinduran1,, T. Buyukoglu2, M.S. Gulay3 and F. Tasci4
1Department of Internal Medicine, 2Department of Biochemistry, 3Department of Physiology, 4Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Akdeniz University, Burdur, Turkey
Correspondence: E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Objectives of the study were to measure water hardness in Burdur, and to establish its possible association with urolithiasis in cattle. Water samples were obtained from different stables (n = 15). Water hardness and the concentrations of potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, zinc, manganese and copper ions were calculated from these water samples. Total hardness of the samples (mean 285 ppm) exceeded the standards and the water was characterized by high content of magnesium ions. Kidneys (n = 500) were collected randomly from slaughterhouses and examined for urolithiasis. Urolithiasis was observed in 102 kidneys (20.4%). The weights of the stones were between 0.02 and 237.44 g and the colour varied from white to brown. The calculi collected had various shapes and composed of calcium apatite (42.45%), struvite (20.15%), magnesium carbonate (15.15%), calcium carbonate (12.12%), and calcium phosphate cystine (10.13%). It was concluded that high water hardness with high magnesium ion concentrations in water may contribute to urolithiasis and needs to be investigated further in future studies.
Keywords: cattle, diet, magnesium, urolithiasis, water hardness
INTRODUCTION
Urinary calculus is a term used to describe the pathological concretion of predominantly mineral salts in the excretory passage of the kidney and the condition is common in both humans and animals. Infections, defective drainage, partial obstructions, congenital malformations and urine pH can promote the process (Jubb et al., 1993).
The calculi are most often found in the bladder, although urolithasis can also occur in the renal pelvis and ureter (Gasthuys et al., 1993). Calculi occur in both sexes, although obstruction occurs most frequently in males. The majority of calculi in cattle are either struvite or silicate calculi (Bailey, 1981; Crookshank et al., 1960). The aetiology of urolithiasis is complex and multifactorial. Geographical and seasonal inuences play an important role for range herds in semi-arid areas. In addition, dietary factors and low water intake have been shown to be important (Gasthuys et al., 1993).
The environmental impact on the rate of urinary tract diseases...