Saline drinking water effect on physiological, metabolic, and productive performances of ruminants in arid and semi-arid regions: a systematic review
Abstract
Water scarcity and declining freshwater quality are growing challenges in livestock production, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, where ruminants increasingly rely on brackish or saline water sources. This review synthesizes data from fifty-seven studies on the effects of drinking saline water (500–20,000 mg/L total dissolved solids (TDS)) on ruminants’ water intake, feed consumption, digestibility, nitrogen metabolism, blood biochemical parameters, production performance, physiological responses, behavior, and reproduction. The analysis indicates that moderate water salinity (>3,000–8,000 mg/L TDS) generally stimulates water intake through osmotic and endocrine mechanisms, whereas high salinity levels (>8,000 mg/L TDS) generally reduce palatability, alter rumen osmolarity, and reduce dry matter intake. These changes can subsequently affect body weight, rumen fermentation patterns, nutrient digestibility, and nitrogen utilization in a species- and age-dependent way. Alterations in blood metabolite, electrolyte, and enzyme activity reflect adaptive or stress-related physiological adjustments, particularly in renal and hepatic functions. Production responses, including milk yield and composition, growth performance, and meat quality, vary and depend on the salinity level, duration of exposure, animal category, and diet composition. Although limited, available evidence suggests that high salinity intake during gestation and lactation may indirectly compromise reproductive performance through reduced intake, metabolic stress, and endocrine dysregulation. Overall, ruminants exhibit considerable adaptability to saline water; however, their tolerance thresholds vary widely among species and physiological states. This review highlights critical knowledge gaps and emphasizes the need for well-controlled, long-term studies to establish safe salinity limits for sustainable ruminant production under water-limited conditions.
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BibTeX
@article{masongo2026saline,
title = {{Saline drinking water effect on physiological, metabolic, and productive performances of ruminants in arid and semi-arid regions: a systematic review}},
author = {Freeman Masongo and Abdelhafid Keli and Ridha Ibidhi and Evelyn Chiyevo Garwe and Ioanna Poulopoulou and Otman Abida and Serkan Ates and Soumaya Boukrouh},
journal = {Frontiers in Animal Science},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.3389/fanim.2026.1870816},
url = {https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-05725944v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Saline drinking water effect on physiological, metabolic, and productive performances of ruminants in arid and semi-arid regions: a systematic review
AU - Freeman Masongo
AU - Abdelhafid Keli
AU - Ridha Ibidhi
AU - Evelyn Chiyevo Garwe
AU - Ioanna Poulopoulou
AU - Otman Abida
AU - Serkan Ates
AU - Soumaya Boukrouh
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/24
JO - Frontiers in Animal Science
DO - 10.3389/fanim.2026.1870816
UR - https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-05725944v1
AB - Water scarcity and declining freshwater quality are growing challenges in livestock production, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, where ruminants increasingly rely on brackish or saline water sources. This review synthesizes data from fifty-seven studies on the effects of drinking saline water (500–20,000 mg/L total dissolved solids (TDS)) on ruminants’ water intake, feed consumption, digestibility, nitrogen metabolism, blood biochemical parameters, production performance, physiological responses, behavior, and reproduction. The analysis indicates that moderate water salinity (>3,000–8,000 mg/L TDS) generally stimulates water intake through osmotic and endocrine mechanisms, whereas high salinity levels (>8,000 mg/L TDS) generally reduce palatability, alter rumen osmolarity, and reduce dry matter intake. These changes can subsequently affect body weight, rumen fermentation patterns, nutrient digestibility, and nitrogen utilization in a species- and age-dependent way. Alterations in blood metabolite, electrolyte, and enzyme activity reflect adaptive or stress-related physiological adjustments, particularly in renal and hepatic functions. Production responses, including milk yield and composition, growth performance, and meat quality, vary and depend on the salinity level, duration of exposure, animal category, and diet composition. Although limited, available evidence suggests that high salinity intake during gestation and lactation may indirectly compromise reproductive performance through reduced intake, metabolic stress, and endocrine dysregulation. Overall, ruminants exhibit considerable adaptability to saline water; however, their tolerance thresholds vary widely among species and physiological states. This review highlights critical knowledge gaps and emphasizes the need for well-controlled, long-term studies to establish safe salinity limits for sustainable ruminant production under water-limited conditions.
SN - 2673-6225
ER -