Urine characterization of indigenous and exotic cows in rainy, winter and summer season

An investigation was conducted to characterize the urine of indigenous and exotic cow breeds for various chemical and bio-chemical properties. The study was undertaken in College of Agriculture, Pune, Maharashtra. There were eleven indigenous cow breeds (Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Red Kandhari, Khillar, Konkan Kapila, Tharparkar, Gaolao, Rathi, Deoni and Dangi) and two exotic breeds (Cross breeds and Phule Triveni) under study. Fresh urine samples during rainy, winter and summer season in 2022-23 were collected and analyzed. The average pH and electrical conductivity was lower by 5.91 and 29.32% in urine of indigenous breeds compared to exotic breeds. The nitrogen in urine varied from 0.37 to 0.46 %.It was higher by 10.86 % in indigenous breeds over exotic breeds. Potassium of urine varied from 0.30 to 0.76% which was higher by 69.24%indigenous breeds over exotic cow breeds. The magnesium content in urine of indigenous cow breeds was lower (7.01 %) over exotic breeds. The sodium in cow urine varied from 1045 to 1503 mg/kg in both breeds. The iron was higher (44.30 %) in urine of indigenous over exotic cow breeds. The manganese, copper and zinc in cow urine ranged from 4.80 to 19.20 mg/kg, 1.53 to 2.42 mg/kg and 2.25 to 3.06 mg/kg, respectively. The average urease activity varied from 16.28 to 19.02 %.