Effect of walking stress on growth,physiological adaptability and endocrine responses in Malpura ewes in a semi-arid tropical environment |
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Authors: | Email author" target="_blank">Veerasamy?SejianEmail author Vijai?P?Maurya Syed?M?K?Naqvi |
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Institution: | (1) Adaptation physiology Laboratory, Division of Physiology & Biochemistry, Central Sheep & Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, Via-Jaipur, Rajsthan, 304501, India |
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Abstract: | Sheep in hot semi-arid environments are mostly reared using extensive systems. In addition to thermal stress and feed scarcity,
the animals need to walk long distances for grazing in this ecological zone. A study was conducted to assess the effect of
long-distance walking on adaptive capability in terms of physiological, biochemical and endocrine responses in Malpura ewes.
Fourteen adult Malpura non-pregnant ewes weighing between 33 and 35 kg were used in the study. The ewes were randomly allocated
into two groups of seven animals each: GI (n = 7; Control), and GII (n = 7; walking stress). The animals were stall-fed with a diet consisting of 70% roughage and 30% concentrate. Both GI and
GII ewes had uniform access to feed and water. The walking stress group (GII) ewes were made to walk 14 km in two spans between
0900 and 1500 hours with 1 h 30 min for each span (7 km) of walking. The ewes subjected to walking stress (GII) were prevented
from grazing by applying a face mask made of cotton thread. The study was conducted for a period of two estrous cycles (35 days)
during the autumn season (October–November). Physiological responses were recorded twice daily at 0800 and 1400 hours at weekly
intervals. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein at weekly intervals to study the effects of walking stress on
blood biochemical and endocrine parameters. The results indicate that walking stress had significant (P < 0.05) influence on body weight, average daily gain, respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), haemoglobin (Hb), packed
cell volume (PCV), plasma glucose, calcium, phosphorus, aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT),
tri-iodo-thyronine (T3), thyroxin (T4), and cortisol. However, walking stress did not influence the reproductive hormone levels. The significant changes in RR,
RT, plasma cortisol, T3 and T4 show that Malpura ewes have the capability to adapt to long-distance walking, and that adrenal and thyroid gland hormones
play a significant role in such adaptation. |
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