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Factors Contributing to the Variation in Urinary Creatinine and Creatinine-Nitrogen Ratios in Beef Cattle¹

Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station, Lincoln

Abstract

The study consisted of a series of metabolism trials in three experiments involving Hereford cows and steers of various ages and weights. Daily and diurnal urine samples were collected and analyzed for creatinine and nitrogen. The creatinine-nitrogen (Cr/N) ratio was calculated by using the relationship of milligrams of creatinine per milliliter of urine/milligrams of nitrogen per milliliter of urine. The variables studied were animals, rations, stage of reproduction and time.

Animal variation affected urinary creatinine, nitrogen and the Cr/N ratio. The creatinine excretion within animals was fairly constant, but the variation among individuals was large. In balance studies individual creatinine excretions should be predetermined. As many individuals should be sampled as possible, when taking urine samples from animals with unknown creatinine excretions.

Ration content did not influence the creatinine excretion of a particular animal. However, protein and energy variations did affect urinary nitrogen and the Cr/N ratio. Thus, the Cr/N ratio reflected dietary intake.

Stage of reproduction influenced urinary creatinine and the Cr/N ratio. Urinary nitrogen was not affected by stages of reproduction.

Yearly and daily variation did not alter significantly creatinine excretion, urinary nitrogen or the Cr/N ratio.

Diurnal variation in urinary creatinine and nitrogen was small in comparison to the variances for the means of each sampling time.

Two uses for urinary creatinine were proposed. A ratio of creatinine to some specific nutrient in the urine could be used for balance studies. The urinary Cr/N ratio could be used to evaluate protein and energy imbalance in rations.

¹ Published with the approval of the Director as Paper No. 1687, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station. Department of Animal Science.

² Present address: Animal Husbandry Department, Texas Technological College, Lubbock, Texas.

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