Effect of microclimatic variables on physiological and hematological parameters of crossbred cows in summer season

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to study the effect of climatic variables on physiological responses and haematological parameters of crossbred cows in summer season. In this study 16 crossbred cows were selected and randomly divided into two groups (G1 and G2). Cows of control group were housed in shed with sprinkler, whereas the cows of treatment group were housed in shed with fogger plus fans and mosquito net. Data on various physiological and haematological parameters were recorded and analysed statistically. Analysis revealed that, the maximum temperature and THI were significantly (P less than 0.05) lower in treatment shed as compared to control shed. Significantly (P less than 0.05) higher dry matter intake and milk yield in treatment (13.64±0.44 and 18.18±0.36 kg) as compared to control group (12.33±0.37 and 15.94±0.47 kg) were recorded during peak hot period. Rectal temperature, respiration rate and pulse rate was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower in treatment (38.28±0.05, 36.42±2.98 and 78.65±1.09 °C) as compared to control group (38.57±0.14, 51.15±4.34 and 83.59±0.83 °C). However, haemoglobin concentration (g/dl) and white blood corpuscles (103/cmm) was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in treatment (10.54±0.36 and 12.35±0.64) as copared to control group (9.52±0.43 and10.88±0.57). Therefore, it can be concluded that fogger with fans is the fundamental mean to protect the animals from thermal stress under loose housing during summer season.