Influence of the concentration and nature of total dissolved solids in brackish groundwater on water intake, nutrient utilization, energy metabolism, ruminal fermentation, and blood constituents in different breeds of mature goats and sheep

Brackish water is being progressively utilized in livestock farming across the globe where freshwater is scarce, potentially leading to detrimental consequences for animal health and performance. This study was conducted to determine effects of different brackish groundwater types on water and feed intake, nutrient utilization, ruminal fluid characteristics, and blood constituent concentrations in different breeds of goats and sheep in a 6 (animal types; AT) x 6 (water treatments; WT) Latin square design. Six AT (Boer, Spanish, and Tennessee Stiff-Leg does and Dorper, Katahdin, and St. Croix ewes) consumed drinking water differing in total dissolved solids (TDS) and mineral composition. Six WT were fresh water (FRW; 287 mg TDS/kg), a natural brackish water (BR) alone (100BR; 5734 mg TDS/kg), BR with concentrations of all minerals increased by about 100 % (200-BR; 10,603 mg TDS/kg), FRW added with NaCl having similar TDS level (6654 mg/kg) as 100-BR (100-SL), FRW added with NaCl having similar TDS (12,197 mg/kg) as 200-BR (200-SL), and water with similar TDS (10,643 mg/kg) level as 200-BR by adding NaCl to 100-BR (200-BR/SL). Water treatment only affected (P < 0.05) water intake, total volatile fatty acids in ruminal fluid, blood phosphorus, blood aldosterone, and plasma osmolality. Water intake was greater (P < 0.05), but total ruminal volatile fatty acid concentrations were lower (P < 0.05) for 200-SL than other WT. Plasma osmolality and aldosterone concentrations were lower (P < 0.05) for 200-SL and 200-BR/SL than FRW. There were no significant interactions between WT and AT for any variable. Water and feed intake, digestibilities, ruminal ammonia concentration, and methane emission were similar among AT (P > 0.05). There were differences (P < 0.05) among AT for many ruminal fermentation and blood characteristics. Although there were some differences among WT, no AT seemed adversely affected by water with a TDS level near or slightly above 10,000 mg/kg regardless of mineral sources.