Rajesh Jindal

Seasonal variation in physiological responses, stress and metabolic-related hormones, and oxidative status of Murrah buffaloes

Abstract Harsh environmental conditions adversely affect the health and productivity of buffaloes. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of seasonal thermal stress on the physiological responses, oxidative stress and some related hormones in Murrah buffaloes. A significant (p < 0.05) rise was observed in the rectal temperature, respiration rate, pulse rate and superoxide dismutase (SOD) during hot-humid (HH) and hot-dry (HD) seasons compared to thermoneutral (TN) season. Plasma cortisol and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were low during TN season, intermediate in HD and highest during HH season. Although the levels of plasma triiodothyronine and thyroxine were high during TN season, their levels declined notably during HD and HH seasons. The temperature humidity index had a positive correlation (p < 0.01) with physiological responses, SOD, MDA and plasma cortisol levels. However, it was negatively correlated (p < 0.01) with the concentration of plasma thyroid hormones. The results reveal that buffaloes could cope efficiently with heat stress by reducing the levels of metabolic heat production-related hormones and releasing more antioxidant (SOD). However, they were still showing signs of stress which were reflected by higher levels of cortisol, lipid peroxidation (MDA) and physiological responses. Therefore, promoting health and productivity of buffaloes requires suitable management strategies to alleviate heat stress and provide comfort to them during extreme seasons.

Effect of Terminalia arjuna bark powder on some diagnostic enzymes in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) ingesting arsenic contaminated water and fodder

Aim: The study investigated the effect of Terminalia arjuna bark powder on some diagnostic enzymes related to hepatic and muscle function in buffaloes ingesting arsenic contaminated water and fodder in an arsenic affected area. Materials and Methods: A total of 25 samples of tube well water, fodder and buffalo blood were collected through a survey from arsenic contaminated areas and 20 samples from the uncontaminated, i.e., control areas of Ludhiana district, Punjab for determination of arsenic concentration. A total of 30 buffaloes (selected from above 45 animals) were divided into three groups of 10 each on the basis of blood arsenic level, viz., control group: Clinically healthy buffaloes from the uncontaminated area with the blood arsenic level within the normal limit (0-0.05 ppm); Arsenic exposed group: Buffaloes exposed to arsenic through intake of contaminated water and fodder in the arsenic affected area with the blood arsenic level above the normal limit of 0-0.05 ppm; treatment group: Arsenic exposed buffaloes treated with T. arjuna bark powder orally at 42 mg/kg b.w. OD for 30 days. Single blood samples were collected from control and arsenic exposed groups. Blood samples from the treatment group were collected on 0, 15th, and 30th day of treatment along with one sample on the 45th day, i.e., after withdrawal of treatment. Activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine kinase (CK) were assayed in plasma. Results: Significantly (p<0.05) higher arsenic concentration was observed in tube well water, fodder and buffalo blood samples collected from the arsenic contaminated area. A significant positive correlation was noticed between arsenic concentrations of tube well water, fodder and untreated buffalo blood samples, collected from the arsenic affected area. ALP, GGT, LDH, and CK activities were significantly (p<0.05) increased in the arsenic exposed buffaloes compared to control. Treatment with T. arjuna bark powder reduced the plasma levels of ALP, GGT, LDH, and CK in arsenic exposed buffaloes comparable to that of control. Conclusion: Exposure to arsenic altered the hepatic and muscle function enzymes in buffaloes. T. arjuna bark powder supplementation lowered the ALP, GGT, LDH, and CK activities in arsenic exposed buffaloes toward the values exhibited by the control group.