Effect of Exogenous Thyroxine Supplementation to Reduce the Incidence of Hypothermia in Dairy Calves

Abstract

Higher serum lipids concentration in blood is the major cause of hypothermia due to lesser utilization of lipids by the buffalo calves for generation of body heat (thermogenesis). A study of effect of exogenous thyroxine supplementation on hormonal status in murrah buffalo and crossbreed cow calves has been evaluated. The study was conducted on 12 healthy buffalo calves and 12 cow calves at Livestock Farm (calf unit), Adhartal, N.D.V.S.U., Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Oral supplementation of thyroxine (0.167 mg/kg body weight), in powder form mixed along with 5 gram jaggery on 15 day interval starting from age of 16-days, 31-days and 46-days. The findings lead to these conclusions that thyroxine supplementation was found mobilisation of lipids and high density lipoprotein cholesterol for heat production to maintain homeostasis. The increased thyroxine level in buffalo calves helped to maintain their body temperature and increased basal metabolic rate, thus helped in their survival and reduced mortality.