Accuracy of the tritium water dilution method for determining water flux in reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus )
The accuracy of the tritium water dilution method in estimating water flux was evaluated in reindeer under various conditions of temperature and diet. Two non-pregnant female reindeer were restrained in metabolism stalls, within controlled-environment chambers, at temperatures of + 10, −5, and −20 °...
| Published in: | Canadian Journal of Zoology |
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| Main Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Canadian Science Publishing
1976
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z76-097 http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z76-097 |
| Summary: | The accuracy of the tritium water dilution method in estimating water flux was evaluated in reindeer under various conditions of temperature and diet. Two non-pregnant female reindeer were restrained in metabolism stalls, within controlled-environment chambers, at temperatures of + 10, −5, and −20 °C; varying amounts of a commercial pelleted ration (crude protein, 13%) or mixed lichens (crude protein, 3%) were offered, and water was provided ad libitum either as snow or in liquid form. Total body water volume and water turnover were estimated using tritiated water, and the daily outputs of feces and urine were measured for each of 12 different combinations of diet and temperature. Statistical analysis of the data showed that the tritium water dilution technique gives accurate determinations of total body water flux over a wide range of environmental and nutritional conditions. |
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