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Subject: Agricultural Structures and Environmental Management ×

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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    METEOROLOGICAL PROFILE OF THRISSUR AND ASSESSING ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS PARAMETERS IN CROSSBRED CATTLE
    (COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR, 2020-10-01) N.V. JISHA; G. Girish Varma
    The present study was conducted to (1) prepare meteorological profile of Thrissur; (2) improvise a respiratory gaseous exchange measurement system for thermal stress assessment in local crossbred cattle; and (3) assess the impact of meteorological parameters on stress physiology of the animals. The ambient temperature, humidity and rainfall, recorded at Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, from 1986 to 2016 was used to profile the local meteorological data. The second phase attempted to fabricate in situ dwelling thermal probes for continuous recording of rectal temperature (RT), improvise suitable mask for the animals, and to standardize the Physiological Monitor with appropriate calibrations. For the third phase, eight crossbred bovine female animals above the age of six months of uniform body weights were managed under standard feeding regime with free access to drinking water. Observations were made in two separate periods of sixty days each, corresponding to highest annual temperature humidity index (THI, Season I) and lowest annual THI (Season II). Ambient temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation and wind velocity were continuously recorded using automatic weather station. Respiratory rate and exchange of O2, CO2 and water vapour were recorded using the improvised face mask and the Physiological Monitor, continuously for two minutes for each animal twice a day, at three days interval. Continuous rectal temperature from 10.00AM to 03.00PM was recorded using indwelling rectal probes attached with highly sensitive sensors and data acquisition system at three days intervals. Pulse rate (manually) and sweating rate (Schleger and Turner, 1965) were recorded at three days interval. Fortnightly venous blood was used for estimating volume of packed red blood cells (VPRC), haemoglobin concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity (GPX). The blood serum samples were used for estimating cortisol, T3 and T4. Body weight was also recorded fortnightly. The present study was conducted to (1) prepare meteorological profile of Thrissur; (2) improvise a respiratory gaseous exchange measurement system for thermal stress assessment in local crossbred cattle; and (3) assess the impact of meteorological parameters on stress physiology of the animals. The ambient temperature, humidity and rainfall, recorded at Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, from 1986 to 2016 was used to profile the local meteorological data. The second phase attempted to fabricate in situ dwelling thermal probes for continuous recording of rectal temperature (RT), improvise suitable mask for the animals, and to standardize the Physiological Monitor with appropriate calibrations. For the third phase, eight crossbred bovine female animals above the age of six months of uniform body weights were managed under standard feeding regime with free access to drinking water. Observations were made in two separate periods of sixty days each, corresponding to highest annual temperature humidity index (THI, Season I) and lowest annual THI (Season II). Ambient temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation and wind velocity were continuously recorded using automatic weather station. Respiratory rate and exchange of O2, CO2 and water vapour were recorded using the improvised face mask and the Physiological Monitor, continuously for two minutes for each animal twice a day, at three days interval. Continuous rectal temperature from 10.00AM to 03.00PM was recorded using indwelling rectal probes attached with highly sensitive sensors and data acquisition system at three days intervals. Pulse rate (manually) and sweating rate (Schleger and Turner, 1965) were recorded at three days interval. Fortnightly venous blood was used for estimating volume of packed red blood cells (VPRC), hemoglobin concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity (GPX). The blood serum samples were used for estimating cortisol, T3 and T4. Body weight was also recorded fortnightly. Respiratory rate started increasing at 300 C ambient temperature and THI 82 while rectal temperature started increasing at 340 C and THI 86. GPX was significantly higher and T4 was significantly lower in Season I compared to season II. Thus, moderate heat stress was evident at higher THI values prevalent in the region, usually falling between March and May. Besides, regression equations for respiratory rate and rectal temperature have been worked out. This study is expected to predict physiological response in cattle subjected to hot humid conditions prevalent in the locale.