1Department of Veterinary Physiology, International Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Rohtak-124 001, Haryana, India
2Division of Animal Physiology, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal-132 001, Haryana, India
*Corresponding Author: Pooja Devi, Department of Veterinary Physiology, International Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Rohtak-124 001, Haryana, India, Email: itspoojamehta1991@gmail.com
Online published on 1 October, 2024.
Heat stress causes oxidative stress and declines milk production potential of cows. The physiological responses and skin temperature of heat stressed animals are good indices for deterring the heat stress. The efficacy of medicinal herb Chlorophytum borivilianum (CB) was tested in lowering the rise in values of physiological responses and skin temperature in crossbred vis a vis Indigenous cows.
Eighteen Tharparkar (TP) and Crossbred KF cows in mid-lactation were given; No supplement (control), a low (T1, n=6) and a high dose (T2, n=6) of CB @ 40 and 80 mg/kg BW/day, respectively for 90 days during hot-humid season. Respiration rate (RR), pulse rate (PR), rectal temperature (RT) and skin temperature (ST) was recorded at the site of forehead, neck, rear body, and udder surface in the morning and afternoon at weekly intervals. Temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated to assess the degree of thermal stress in animals.
Physiological responses and skin temperatures were higher (p<0.01) in the afternoon than morning intervals in TP and KF cows. CB feeding significantly lowered physiological responses and ST (p<0.01) in high dose as compared to low dose. It was concluded that CB feeding @ 80 mg/kg BW/day effectively alleviates the heat stress. Indigenous cows were found more heat tolerant in comparison to crossbred cows.
CB, Heat stress, Karan fries, Physiological responses, Tharparkar
