Physiological, hematological and biochemical alterations in heat stressed goats

Abstract

Heat stress is one of the main factors which adversely affecting the animal welfare and thus the economic benefits of the farms. Goat husbandry in Egypt tends to breed throughout the year. However, a high ambient temperature is the major restriction on the animal productivity. This effect is provoked when heat stress is accompanied by high ambient humidity. This study was aimed to study the effect of heat stress on the physiological, some hematological and biochemical parameters. Twenty-five goats were exposed to the daytime (30 days) after an initial 7 day shading period, while another 10 goats were exposed to the shading regimen throughout the entire 30 days as a control group. Heat stressed goats showed the decrease of the feed intake, body weight and growth rate. Physiologically, the rectal temperature, respiration and heart rates were observed to be significantly higher. Moreover, the red blood cells count (RBCs), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), and packed cell volume (PCV) were significantly increased, whereas an insignificant change in white blood cells count (WBCs). Also, the serum total proteins, albumin, glucose, urea and creatinine levels were significantly decreased. On the other hand, cortisol level were significantly increased in heat stressed goats. Our results indicated that heat stress produced a significant alteration in the physiological, some hematological and biochemical parameters.

Thermal stress altered growth performance and metabolism and induced anaemia and liver disorder in Labeo rohita

“…Fish also failed to maintain other alternative energy sources like triglycerides and protein in investigated tissues. Decline in triglycerides (Shim, Hwang, Sonand, & Park, ) and protein (Attia, ) in serum was also evident from the previous researches under thermal stress. Thermal stress caused reduction in energy metabolism in fish and similar results also were registered previously in rats (Danielle, Lewis, Yu, Leon, & Stalling, ).…”

“…Trend in gluconeogenic pattern in liver and muscle was further supported by lower activity of GPT and GOT in liver, and higher activity in muscle (although not significant). Elabd, Wang, Shaheen, Yao, and Abbass (2017) Decline in triglycerides (Shim, Hwang, Sonand, & Park, 2006) and protein (Attia, 2016) in serum was also evident from the previous researches under thermal stress. Thermal stress caused reduction in energy metabolism in fish and similar results also were registered previously in rats (Danielle, Lewis, Yu, Leon, & Stalling, 2014).…”

Heat stress impact on blood biochemical response and plasma aldosterone level in three different indigenous goat breeds

“…The highly significant difference in breed factor for total protein, albumin, and globulin in the study indicates the different potential of these breeds to use the protein sources efficiently for supporting the adaptive processes to tropical climate. Generally, concentrations of total protein and albumin are used as indices for nutritional status in goats (Attia et al 2016). The plasma protein, albumin, globulin, and A/G ratio did not show significant variation between groups for the heat stress treatment.…”

Adaptation Mechanisms of Small Ruminants to Environmental Heat Stress

“…For instance, ruminants are active during the day and rest during the night. They protect themselves from extreme environmental factors by means of dissipating body heat by taking advantage of hairlessness of certain body parts, shedding of hair, water restriction, and feed intake [33,34].…”

“…When animals are exposed to high temperatures, reduction of feed intake will occur [33]. Reducing feed intake is a method of adaptation to decrease heat production in the warm environment as the heat increment of feeding is an important source of heat production in ruminants [33]. Goats are better adapted to heat stress than cows and sheep.…”