Veterinary Archives, Vol. 88 No. 2, 2018.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.24099/vet.arhiv.170113
The influence of a modified micro-environment on stress and milk production through the plasminogen-plasmin system in Murrah buffaloes during the hot-humid season
Nilufar Haque
; Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, SDAU, SK Nagar, Gujarat, India
Mahendra Singh
; Dairy Cattle Physiology Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
Sheikh A. Hossain
; National Dairy Development Board, Anand, Gujarat, India
Abstract
To determine the changes in milk yield and composition along with the plasminogen-plasmin (PG-PL) system of milk, plasma hormones and metabolites during the hot humid season, buffaloes were divided in two groups: control and treatment, where treatment group animals had the benefit of mist and fan cooling from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm for a 6 week period, while control group animals did not have this benefit. The average maximum temperature and temperature humidity index during this season was 34.33 ºC and 84.18, respectively. Physiological responses were recorded, and milk and blood samples were collected at weekly intervals for six weeks. The treatment group animals experienced better comfort as their physiological responses, such as respiration rate, pulse rate, and skin temperatures, were significantly (P<0.05) reduced as compared to the controls, and this subsequently resulted in higher milk yield, by 14.56 per cent. Analysis of milk samples revealed a higher concentration of plasminogen (8.38 vs 6.82 µg/ mL) and β-casein (1.11 vs 1.02 g/ dL), and lower plasmin level (0.213 vs 0.226 µg/ mL) in buffaloes in the treatment group as compared to the controls. Plasma growth hormone and glucose levels were higher, whereas, cortisol and non-esterified fatty acids levels were lower (P<0.05) in the treatment animals. However, exposure of buffaloes to the cooling system did not alter the composition and calcium content of milk or catecholamine levels in plasma. Hence it may be concluded that provision of a cooling system during the summer was effective to minimize environmental stress and improve milk production by manipulation of the PG-PL system in buffaloes.
Keywords
Murrah buffalo; hot-humid season; mist and fan; plasminogen-plasmin; blood metabolite; heat stress
Hrčak ID:
197972
URI
Publication date:
2.4.2018.
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