Mineral profiles and mineral turnover in the forestomachs of camels in Kenya grazing under various seasonal conditions

Abstract

Forestomach fluid volumes and turnover rates, and mineral concentrations, pools and turnover rates in forestomach compartments Cl + C2 were determined in 4 adult fistulated camels during grazing/browsing in the thornbush savannah of Northern Kenya. The studies were done in the green season and again in the dry season, and feeding observations were performed to characterize the nutritional situation. The forestomach fluid volumes were not different between the two seasons but the fluid turnover rates were much lower in the dry season. The mineral concentration profiles of Na, K, Ca, Mg and inorganic phosphate over the day differed according to different dietary intake and probably saliva production. The daily turnover in the forestomach of all five minerals was reduced in the dry season.