Effects of Addition of Electrolyte and Ascorbic Acid in Feed during Heat Stress in Buffaloes

Abstract

The ameliorative effect of salts and ascorbic acid polyphosphate supplementation on heat stress was studied in buffaloes. Adult buffaloes of either sex were randomly divided into 2 groups of 4 animals each. Group I served as control and Group II was supplemented with sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate and ascorbic acid polyphosphate. All the animals were exposed to two conditions of temperature and humidity: hot-dry and hot-humid in a psychrometric chamber for 4 h daily for 10 days. Blood was collected on day 1, 5 and 10 of treatment. The activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD), concentrations of serum glutathione (GSH), cortisol, sodium, potassium, and chloride and lipid peroxidation were estimated in serum. Lymphocyte proliferation was assessed in blood. The activities of catalase and SOD, serum concentration of GSH, sodium, potassium and chloride decreased while lipid peroxidation and serum cortisol increased in both groups when subjected to heat stress. Dietary supplementation resulted in further decreasing of the enzyme activities but increasing of the serum concentrations of GSH, sodium, potassium and chloride. Lipid peroxidation and serum cortisol increased in the supplemented group in both types of stress. Dietary supplementation caused an increase in lymphoproliferative response to con A. Thus, supplementation of ascorbate in addition to electrolytes relieves the animals of oxidative stress and boosts cell mediated immunity.