Physiological studies in the South American camelid llama (Lama guanicoe f. d. glama). I. Body water spaces and water turnover.

ABSTRACT

Body water (BW) and extracellular water (ECW), were determined with tritiated water (THO) and 82Br injected into the vein, to 8 mature animals of both sexes during the winter season. The biological half-time of THO (T1/2 THO) and the daily water turnover (WT) were measured and the intracellular water (ICW) calculated. The studies with THO were repeated in the same animals and in 2 lactating females in spring and summer. Two calves were also studied during spring. The values obtained in winter were BW 659 +/- 12 ml/kg; T1/2 THO 9.2 +/- 1 day; WT per 24 h 50 +/- 3 ml/kg or 116 +/- 5 ml/kg 82 and 163 +/- 9 ml per 1 of BW82; ECW 215 +/- 8 ml/kg or 32.5 +/- 3