ASSESSMENT OF FLUID STATUS OF FEMALE MURRAH BUFFALOES FROM ARID TRACTS OF RAJASTHAN DURING EXTREME AMBIENCES

Ruchi Maan* and Nalini Kataria

ABSTRACT

An exploration was conducted to evaluate fluid status of female Murrah buffaloes incorporating animals in different physiological states from arid tracts of Rajasthan during extreme ambient temperature periods. Fluid status was appraised by determining blood and urine specific gravities. Apparently healthy animals were screened for blood and urine samples during moderate, extreme hot, rainy and extreme cold ambiences. The overall mean values of blood and urine specific gravities were significantly (p≤0.05) higher during rainy, extreme hot and extreme cold ambiences as compared to respective moderate mean value. During rainy ambience, the per cent change was found to be maximum for blood and urine specific gravities. Between heifers, pre-pubertals expounded greater impressions of extreme ambient temperature periods. Amongst groups of buffaloes as per physiological states, non-pregnant milch and primipara divulged higher brunt of extreme ambiences. The epitome of the present exploration was that rainy ambience produced slow water deficit of utmost degree in the buffaloes with adjustments in the physiological mechanisms to a degree which can establish disturbance of health status. All the buffaloes were observed to be distressed with mild water-deficit in all the three extreme ambiences with maximum consequences in rainy ambience. It can be advocated that exceptional consideration must be given regarding watering of the buffaloes during callous ambient temperature periods with ample antioxidant supplementations. Buffalo owners must be awakened to watch the health of animals regularly.

Keywords: Ambience, cold, hot, rainy, specific gravity.