Materials and Methods:

The experiment was completely randomized with two treatments: freshwater (0%, seawater [SW0]) and water high in salinity (1.5%, SW1. 5) from diluted SW, with five replicates (five animals per treatment). This experiment lasted 3 weeks: the 1 st week for the pre-treatment period and the 2 nd-3 rd weeks for the post-treatment. Dry matter intake (DMI) and WI were recorded every day, while urine volume (UV) was determined from day 8 to day 21. Blood and urinary samples were collected on days 6, 14, and 21 of the study for electrolytes and creatinine analysis.

Results:

The results demonstrated that both DMI and WI were affected by SW1. 5 (p< 0.05). Goats drinking from SW1. 5 had lower DMI during D19–21, and the ratio of DMI/WI was significantly different during D16–21 (p< 0.05). Interestingly, the UV from SW1. 5 was higher than that from SW0 during D13–21 (p< 0.05). Although the body weights (BW) of both groups were similar (p> 0.05), the weight gain observed in the SW1. 5 group tended to decrease (p= 0.056) at the 2 nd week. The concentration of electrolytes in blood did not differ between the groups (p> 0.05). In contrast, the concentration and excretion of Na+ and Cl-in urine increased in SW1. 5 goats at D14 (p< 0.05), while creatinine levels in the blood remained normal (p> 0.05).

Conclusion:

The study concluded that crossbred male goats can tolerate 1.5% saline water from diluted SW for 2 weeks. The high salinity in water influences drinking and eating behavior in growing goats. However, the adaptive mechanism by increasing urine output and reducing the reabsorption of Na+ and Cl-in the kidney is the key function and works faster than behavioral responses. The kidney apparently drives drinking behavior during high salinity water consumption.