Effect of heat stress amelioration during dry period on biological responses, proinflammatory cytokines and milk production in subsequent lactation of Surti buffaloes

Abstract

Present study was conducted on 12 dry Surti buffaloes to assess the effect of heat stress amelioration during dry period on their biological responses and milk production in subsequent lactation. Buffaloes were divided into control (n=6) and treatment (n=6) groups. Treatment buffaloes were housed only during their dry period in shed having wall-mounted fans, roof whitewashed with microfine lime powder and open paddock covered with 75% green net. At -8, -3, +1 and +3 weeks of calving, blood collection and recording of observations (physiological, skin thermography and BCS) were done. Milk composition and daily milk yield were recorded at every 2 weeks up to 11 weeks of lactation, respectively. Shed modification was successful in lowereing air temperature and THI indicating thermal comfort for treatment buffaloes as also revealed by lower temperatures of rectum, tympanic membrane, surface like forehead, eye, udder, coronet and lower respiration rate. Treatment group maintained significantly higher BCS, glucose, total protein, GSH, TAS, in vitro lymphocyte proliferation, neutrophil phagocytic activity and lower levels of urea, creatinine, NEFA, BHBA, SOD, MDA, cortisol, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and HSP70. These results are indicative of minimum negative energy balance, stress and higher immune response. Milk yield and fat were higher in treatment group. Providing thermal comfort to buffaloes in dry period helped in abating the negative effects of heat stress not only during dry period but also during subsequent lactation along with improved milk yield.

Keywords

• Biological responses, Dry period, Heat stress, Lactation, Surti buffaloes