Abstract
Background: Stress is a serious health problem in dairy cattle resulting in decreased milk production along with disturbances in reproductive functions. India is currently losing nearly 2 per cent of the total milk production, amounting to a whooping over Rs. 2,661 crore due to rise in thermal stress among lactating cattle and buffaloes because of the global warming (Upadhyay et al. 2007). Methods: The present study was conducted on 18 thermal stressed cross-bred dairy cattle for a period of about 45 days for detection and amelioration of thermal stress with the objective to evaluate clinic-haemato-biochemical, oxidative stress indices. Three different groups were taken in study with each group having 6 animals. Result: Reduced milk yield, increased physiological parameters; respiration rate, heart rate, rectal temperature, were observed in positive control animals. Cortisol a stress hormone was estimated for evaluation and amelioration of thermal stress. Haematological examination revealed decreased Hb, PCV and lymphopenia and concomitant neutrophilia in Group 1 animals. Biochemical evaluation revealed hyperglycemia, increased total protein and plasma glycine, decreased calcium, Na, K and Cl levels while as cortisol, AST, ALT levels were found to be increased in thermally stressed dairy cattle to which no supplement was given. Oxidative indices showed decreased activity of GSH, catalase, SOD activity in thermally stressed cattle which were ameliorated with micro-nutrients and mineral supplements.
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