ADAPTABILITY PROFILE OF MALE CATTLE AND BUFFALO CALVES TO VARYING TEMPERATURE HUMIDITY INDEX (THI) IN KERALA
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Date
2016-12-30
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COLLEGE OF VETERINARY AND ANIMAL SCIENCES MANNUTHY, THRISSUR
Abstract
The present study was conducted to assess the adaptation capacity of castrated
buffalo and crossbred male calves to the varying temperature humidity prevalent in
central midlands of Kerala using physiological, haematological, growth, endocrine
and genetic parameters. Ambient temperature, humidity, rectal temperature, pulse
rate and respiratory rate were recorded daily. Relative growth rate and plasma volume
were recorded at fortnightly interval. Haematological parameters and endocrine
parameters were determined at biweekly interval. The temperature humidity index
recorded throughout the year varied from 76.5 to 82.0. Rectal temperature remained
invariable throughout the experimental period but respiratory rate and pulse rate
exhibited a significant positive correlation (P<0.01) with temperature humidity index.
A negative correlation was observed between temperature humidity index and
relative growth rate, total erythrocyte count, haemoglobin concentration, volume of
packed red blood cells and thyroid hormones of the experimental animals at P<0.01
level. While a positive correlation was observed between plasma volume and
temperature humidity index in all the experimental animals. Cortisol levels remained
consistent throughout the study period in buffalo and crossbred cattle calves. The rate
of increase of plasma volume, respiratory rate and pulse rate were higher in buffalo
calves compared to crossbred cattle calves. HSP90 expression showed significant
(P<0.05) up regulation at a THI of 82.0 in all the experimental animals, however
buffaloes showed a higher fold expression of HSP90 compared to that of crossbred
cattle calves.
Description
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in Veterinary Physiology