Thermoregulatory and adaptive responses of adult buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) during hyperthermia: Physiological, behavioral, and metabolic approach

Abstract

The study was planned to evaluate the indigenous animal adaptive capabilities during optimum temperature versus heat stress (HS).Materials and Methods: Four adult buffaloes were exposed at 25°C, 30°C, 35°C, and 40°C for 21 days at every treatment in environmentally controlled chamber and physio-biochemical variation and animal behavior was observed. Results:The study revealed significantly increased rectal temperature, respiration rate, water intake, sodium, reactive oxygen metabolites, cortisol, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase while, pulse rate and thyroid hormones decreased during thermal stress. Panting, restlessness, salivation, and sweating were higher during HS while, rumination and urination contrastingly lowered. Conclusion:The results reflect the impact of hyperthermia both acute and chronic, on the animals forcing various physiobiochemical, endocrinal, and behavioral changes for acclimatization during a stressful period aimed at maintaining homeothermy.

Effect of misting and wallowing cooling systems on milk yield, blood and physiological variables during heat stress in lactating Murrah buffalo

“…In present study, a decreasing trend in T4 level was observed in hot humid period in order to decrease basal metabolic rate to decrease metabolic heat production. A decrease in T3 and T4 levels has been also reported in buffalo in response to summer heat stress [ 35 , 43 , 52 ]. Misting and wallowing was observed equally effective in preventing an increase in cortisol and prolactin level in high THI period however, it was reported that wallowing was more effective cooling strategy than sprinkling [ 16 ] whereas no change in cortisol and thyroid hormone levels was observed after application of cooling and other heat stress amelioration strategies in Murrah buffaoes [ 7 ].…”

Evaluation of physiological and biochemical responses in different seasons in Surti buffaloes

“…[ 12 ] reported a significant daily increase of 15.4 breaths/min from 600 to 1300 h in Bos taurus during heat stress and Wankar et al . [ 13 ] have also noticed in adult buffaloes significantly increased RR at 35°C and 40°C as compared to 25°C and 30°C. An increase in RR during afternoon as compared to morning as well as during summer (hot dry) as compared to hot humid season in growing and adult Sahiwal cattle have been reported by Chandrabhan et al .…”

Seasonal Dynamics of Physiological, Oxidative and Metabolic Responses in Non-lactating Nili-Ravi Buffaloes Under Hot and Humid Climate

“…At higher ambient temperatures (above 30 • C), excessive heat load hampers the ability of animals to dissipate their body heat. Heat stress occurs usually when animals are unable to maintain the balance between heat produced/stored and heat dissipated (3,4). To manage this excessive heat load, animals attempt to reduce metabolic heat production while increasing heat dissipation to maintain euthermia.…”