Abstract:
The salivary composition of Sri Lankan elephants has not been thoroughly
investigated. The present study aimed to determine the salivary composition
of captive Asian elephants at the Pinnawala elephant orphanage (PEO), Sri
Lanka from March to September 2017. The biochemical, physical and
chemical parameters of saliva and variation of salivary composition among
five study groups of captive elephants, namely, Group 1 (Pregnant, n= 6),
Group 2, (Supplementary milk feeding, 00-05 yrs., n= 3); Group 3 (age 05-
15yrs., n= 6), Group 4 (age 16-30 yrs., n=6), and Group 5 ( above 30 years
of age, n= 3) were analyzed. Saliva samples (approx. 2.5 ml) were collected
from each elephant using a sponge before and after the feeding. Samples
were pooled according to the group, centrifuged and used for analysis.
Variations of salivary composition namely, percentages of salivary
enzymes, trace materials, cations and anions in salivary samples of study
groups were compared and analysed using the standard analytical methods
in the laboratory. Results showed that salivary components such as amylase,
ammonia and phosphates were not varied according to their feeding time or
age, however mucin is present only in 16-30 year age group. Other salivary
components such as urea, glucose, chlorides, sulphates, calcium,
magnesium and sodium were varied with their feeding time or age.
Pregnant group had relatively low creatinine level which was 25% less than
the other groups. During this study two types of microbes were observed
twice in salivary samples of Group 1 and 2. The present study provides
baseline information on salivary composition of captive elephants in PEO,
Sri Lanka.
