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Subject: Livestock Production and Management × Author: RAJ, M. MONISH × End date: 2017 × Start date: 2017 × Thesis Type: M.V.Sc. ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EFFECT OF THERMAL STRESS ON CERTAIN PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCES OF HAMPSHIRE SOWS
    (College of Veterinary Science Assam Agricultural University Khanapara, Guwahati-781022, 2017-07) RAJ, M. MONISH; Saharia, Jitendra
    Pig husbandry plays an important role in the development of Indian meat industry. Pig farming is an important aspect in Northeastern region of India because pig farming mainly constitutes the livelihood of rural poor belonging to the lowest socio-economic strata and they play an important role in survival of rural and tribal people. Pigs lack proper thermoregulatory mechanism as other livestock making it difficult to rear them in hot and humid condition like Assam. Present study was undertaken to study the effect of thermal stress of both summer and winter on performance of Hampshire sows. In present study, Twelve Pregnant sows, six each in summer and in winter were taken for study under standard feeding and managemental system of the farm. The study was carried out in two phases i.e. phase I: Summer (June to August 2016) and phase II: Winter (December 2016 to February 2017). Mean temperature, relative humidity and THI both in outdoor and indoor environment were taken into account. Results showed that ambient temperature ranged from 13.39 ± 0.28 to 30.87 ± 0.23, relative humidity ranged from 87.96 ± 0.79 to 91.90 ± 0.46 and THI from 61.81 ± 0.27 to 84.10 ± 0.30. In summer season, the mean rectal temperatures (°F) of the sows in morning and evening were 102.39 ± 0.04 and 102.54 ± 0.03 in June, 102.41 ± 0.04 and 102.61 ± 0.03 in July and 102.45 ± 0.03 and 102.65 ± 0.04 in August respectively. In winter season, the mean rectal temperature (°F) of the sows in morning and evening were 102.07 ± 0.05 and 102.18 ± 0.05 in December, 101.91 ± 0.04 and 102.15 ± 0.05 in January and 102.11 ± 0.04 and 102.29 ± 0.03 in February respectively. Statistical analysis revealed highly significant (P < 0.01) difference in rectal temperature between summer and winter seasons. In summer season, the mean respiration rate (breaths/min.) of the sow in morning and evening were 57.79 ± 0.63 and 62.47 ± 0.66 in June , 61.18 ± 0.52 and 65.54 ± 0.42 in July and 65.63 ± 0.45 and 68.90 ± 0.44 in August respectively. In winter season, the mean respiration rate (breaths/min.) of the sows in morning and evening were 39.5 ± 0.66 and 44.88 ± 0.64 in December, 42.65 ± 0.51 and 48.51 ± 0.57 in January and 39.38 ± 0.49 and 43.85 ± 0.42 in February respectively. Statistical analysis revealed highly significant (P < 0.01) difference in respiration rates between summer and winter seasons. In summer season, the mean pulse rate (beats/min.) of the sows in morning and evening were 83.40 ± 0.93 and 88.92 ± 1.02 in June, 83.06 ± 0.91 and 91.31 ± 1.22 in July and 85.11 ± 0.79 and 90.42 ± 0.81 in August respectively. In winter season, the mean pulse rates (beats/min.) of the sows in morning and evening were 78.21 ± 0.52 and 82.78 ± 0.51 in December, 78.53 ± 0.37 and 82.65 ± 0.32 in January and 78.75 ± 0.43 and 83.03 ± 0.38 in February respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that mean pulse rate was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in summer than in winter season. The overall average of serum cortisol concentration (nmol/l) in summer and winter were 284.42 ± 2.26 and 162.5 ± 2.47 respectively. On statistical analysis, it was revealed that there is highly significant (P < 0.01) difference in cortisol concentration between summer and winter season. The overall average of serum progesterone (ng/ml) concentration in summer and winter were 19.13±1.09 and 20.35±1.14 respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that there is no significant difference between serum progesterone concentration in summer and in winter seasons. Average litter size at birth was found to be 7.83 ± 0.65 and 9.53 ± 0.33 for summer and winter respectively. Average litter weight (kg) at birth was found to be 9.75 ± 0.16 and 12.5 ± 0.93 in summer and winter respectively. Statistical analysis revealed significantly higher (P < 0.05) average litter weight and average litter size at birth in winter seasons than in summer season. Average litter size at weaning was found to be 7.17 ± 0.40 and ABSTRACT 6.83 ± 0.31 in summer and winter respectively. Statistically no significant difference was found in average litter size at weaning between summer and winter season. Average litter weight (kg) at weaning was found to be 68.43 ± 0.47 and 65.27 ± 0.62 in summer and winter respectively. Statistical analysis revealed significantly higher (P < 0.05) average litter weight in winter seasons than in summer season. The overall feed consumption (kg) and FCE of sow was recorded to be 33.39 ± 0.16 and 37.6 ± 0.24 and 5.02 ± 0.05 and 4.61 ± 0.06 for summer and winter respectively. Statistical analysis revealed that there is significantly higher (P < 0.01) feed consumption and FCE in winter seasons than in summer season. From the present study it was concluded that the pregnant Hampshire sows experience severe heat stress in summer season which affects feed consumption and the productive performance of the sows. However, winter season is found to have no effect of thermal stress on the pregnant Hampshire sows. Further experiments on the line with more animals will be helpful to support the trial.