SRINIVAS REDDY BELLURTRUPTHI2023-12-212023-12-212023https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810204156The present study was conducted to assess effects of dietary betaine supplementation on physiological parameters, growth parameters, anti-oxidant parameters, hormonal profile, biochemical profile, and haematological profile in Deoni calves during summer stress. The study was carried out at LRIC, Deoni farm, Bidar during summer season (April-May 2021) for a period of 2 months. The THI ranged from 75.29 to 79.38 indicative to mild to moderate heat stress in calves. Ten Deoni calves were randomly divided into control and treatment group with five calves in each group. Control group was fed basal diet alone. For the treatment group, basal diet was supplemented with anhydrous betaine hydrochloride @ 5 grams per calf per day in the diet during the study period. The In the present study, rectal temperatures significantly (P< 0.05) lower from day 35 onwards, respiration rates were significant (P< 0.05) lower from day 42 onwards and heart rates were significant (P< 0.05) lower from day 49 onwards in betaine supplemented group. Growth parameters revealed increase in weight gain from day 21 onwards and there was increase in girth, height, and length in betaine treated group from day 28, day 42 and day 35 onwards respectively when compared to the control group during study period. Anti-oxidant profile revealed significant (P<0.05) decrease in plasma LPO activity was noted on day 45 and 60 in treatment group, significant (P< 0.05) increase in the mean plasma SOD and catalase from day 45 onwards in treatment group when compared to that of control group. Hormonal profile revealed that the treatment group had significantly (P< 0.05) lower plasma cortisol and higher T4 levels from day 45 onwards compared to control group. The biochemical parameters viz., plasma glucose, plasma albumin, plasma calcium and plasma inorganic phosphorus levels were significantly higher (P ˂ 0.05) whereas plasma triglycerides, plasma cholesterol, and plasma creatinine levels were significantly (P< 0.05) lower in treatment group compared to control. TEC, Hb, PCV values revealed that there were increased at 35th, 45th and 60th day of the study. Whereas, Lymphocyte % were significantly higher and neutrophils were significantly lower in treatment group at day 60. From the results of the current study, it can be concluded that betaine supplementation is economically beneficial with increased growth performance as it ameliorates the negative effects of heat stress because of its potent anti-oxidant property, enhancing hormonal and physio-biochemical balance, and also through improved haematological profile data as observed in our study. Key words: Deoni, calves, betaine, growth, antioxidant, hormoneThesis