The parameters related to oxidative stress and heavy metal levels were assessed during summer and winter seasons in buffaloes from environmentally exposed areas (n=60) of Ludhiana district of Punjab (India) and control area (n=40). Buffaloes of heavy metal exposed areas exhibited significantly (p less than 0.05) increased blood levels of Cr, Ni, As and Pb along with significantly (p less than 0.05) higher erythrocytic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels; whereas significant (p less than 0.05) decrease was observed in superoxide dismutase activity and the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamins C and E as compared to buffaloes from control area. The level of oxidative stress was higher in all buffaloes during summer as compared to winter as indicated by significantly (p less than 0.05) higher MDA level, and lower concentrations of GSH, vitamins C and E irrespective of the area. Blood Cr, Ni, As and Pb levels showed highly significant positive correlation (p less than 0.01) with MDA level but negative correlation with SOD activity and the concentrations of GSH, vitamins C and E. Thus, it may be concluded that buffaloes exposed to heavy metals encounter significant oxidative stress and potential to quench free radicals is compromised during summer.

Twenty lactating Beetal goats were divided as Pre-summer group: (n=5) without supplementation and Summer group: (n=20). The latter group was further divided in sub-groups namely Group I: (n=5) Control, no supplementation; Group II: (n=5) supplemented with fenugreek seeds @ 10g/animal/day for 30 days; Group III: (n=5) supplemented with Yea Sacc®1026 @ 2g consisting of 10 billion yeast cells/animal/day for 30 days and Group IV: (n=5) supplemented with fenugreek seeds and Yea Sacc®1026 combination for 30 days. Summer stressed goats exhibited elevated levels of malondialdehyde and reduced the levels of Superoxide dismutase activity, Vitamin E, Vitamin C and reduced glutathione. Supplementation of fenugreek seeds and Yea Sacc®1026 reduced levels of lipid peroxidation and improved the superoxide dismutase activity. Total average milk yield (kg/day) was the highest in group IV (0.988±0.03) followed by groups II (0.889±0.02) and III (0.785±0.012) which was significantly higher as compared to the unsupplemented group I (0.618±0.004).

Background: Oxidative stress is a unified concept for the assessment of metabolic status of buffaloes affected by a cocktail of heavy metal exposure from environment and it may significantly affect the metabolic profile and milk production during summer season. The present study aimed at evaluation of effect of probiotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain 1026) and amla powder (Embilica officinalis) supplementation on levels of heavy metals, antioxidant status, oxidative stress in lymphocytes, metabolic profile and milk production of summer stressed buffaloes exposed to environmental heavy metal pollution. Methods: Twenty summer stressed lactating Murrah buffaloes of the same age group, close parity and in early lactation from the heavy metal exposed area were divided into two groups: Control (without supplementation) and Treatment group (supplemented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae1026) @ 50 billion live cells / animal /day and Amla powder @ 86 mg/kg body weight for 30 days. Blood and milk samples were collected from both the groups on the day of starting of supplementation (i.e. day 0) and on there after days 15 and 30 and analyzed for antioxidant status, metabolic profile, milk yield and quality.Result: Oral supplementation of probiotic and amla powder for 30 days improved the antioxidant status, metabolic profile and milk production of summer stressed buffaloes residing in heavy metal exposed area. The percentage monetary gains from buffaloes fed probiotic and amla powder was 13.68% more as compared to control.

Lead emitting industries pose a risk of contamination of surface and ground water, soil and fodder by dissemination of the particles carrying lead by wind action and by runoff from the tailings which cause numerous biochemical, immunological and reproductive disturbances in animals. Samples (n-20) of tube-well water, surface soil and fodder were collected from an uncontaminated area with water lead level within the permissible limit (0.05µg/ml) which served as control, and from the lead contaminated area (n=25) of Ludhiana (Punjab) with water lead level above the permissible limit. Blood level of lead (>0.24µg/ml) was used to decide the exposure group. The biochemical profile of the buffaloes exposed to lead showed hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyridemia and hyperglycemia as compared to control group. The activity of serum enzymes viz alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase showed significant (p less than 0.05) elevation in lead exposed buffaloes. There was significant (p less than 0.05) increase in levels of plasma urea and creatinine, however, tri-iodothyrinine and thyroxine concentrations were significantly (p less than 0.05) declined in lead exposed buffaloes as compared to control animals. Blood lead levels were significantly correlated with alterations in different biochemical indices in lead exposed buffaloes indicating the adverse effect on hepatic, renal and thyroid function.

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