title: Technical note: A noninvasive urine collection device for female cattle: modification of the urine cup collection method.
abstract: Total urine collection from female cattle requires the use of indwelling urinary catheters or an external device requiring secure attachment with adhesive to the animal; neither method is ideal for the welfare of the cattle. A urine collection device was developed to enable total urine collection in female dairy cattle without the use of adhesive to attach the device to the vulva of the animal; the device was a modification of one described previously for female cattle. The urine collection device was made from polypropylene with maximum dimensions (height x width x depth) of 17.5 x 11.0 x 6.0 cm and an opening of approximately 42 cm(2) to cover the vulva. The device was secured using a commercially available udder support harness that provided snap-fasteners and support for the device to be positioned at the level of the vulva. At the point of attachment, a metal brace surrounded the device and was connected to the udder support by metal rings, which kept the urine cup in proper position as the animal arched to urinate. A metal O-clamp and pieces of rubber, serving as leak-proof washers, connected the bottom of the device to Gooch tubing. Another metal clamp was attached to a polyvinyl chloride adapter that was connected to a rubber hose, and urine was collected into carboys located on the floor approximately 1.5 m behind the animals. This modification of a urine cup allows several noninvasive total feces and urine collection studies of unrestricted length to be undertaken without the use of adhesive to attach the device. The floor-level collection system is a practical, portable, and handy system that will permit researchers to perform nutrient balance and metabolic studies on female cattle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dairy and Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park 16802, USA.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Lascano
authors.forename: G I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Zanton
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Heinrichs
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary*; D014844:Vulva