TY - JOUR AU - .F. Robinson, T AU - L. Roeder, B. PY - 2014/11/29 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - Serum and urine analyte comparison between llamas and alpacas fed three forages JF - Scientific Journal of Animal Science JA - Sci. J. Anim. Sci. VL - 3 IS - 11 SE - DO - UR - https://sjournals.com/index.php/sjas/article/view/810 SP - 275-283 AB - <div><p>Serum and urine analytes were measured in 4 healthy adult llama and alpaca geldings housed in metabolism crates and fed three diets consisting of alfalfa (AH), barley (BH) or grass (GH) hay and water&nbsp;<em>ad libitum.&nbsp;</em>This comparative study was conducted to determine if differences exist in serum metabolites and urinary indices in llamas and alpacas consuming the same forages of differing protein and carbohydrate quality. &nbsp;Daily feed intake was determined and concurrent serum and urine samples were obtained at 4-hr intervals on d13 and d14 for analysis of electrolytes, urea N, and creatinine. &nbsp;AH was consumed more than BH or GH by both species, but llamas consumed more forage on both a body weight (BW) and metabolic BW (MBW, kg<sup>.75</sup>) basis. Serum electrolytes were similarly affected by diet between species, indicating that renal homeostatic mechanisms were functional and analogous in llamas and alpacas.&nbsp; Serum and urine urea N were affected by forage (P&lt;0.05). &nbsp;Urine volume was highest for both camelid species when consuming AH (P&lt;0.05). &nbsp;Mean urine electrolyte excretion only differed by diet. &nbsp;Dissimilarities between these species was evidenced by differences in renal excretion of urea N and differences in urine volume on a MBW (kg<sup>.75</sup>) basis.</p></div> ER -