The effects of high temperature and roof modification on physiological responses of swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) in the tropics

Abstract

The objective of the experiments reported here was to measure the effects of cooling techniques (Modified roof vs Normal roof) on the performance and physiology of 12 young male buffaloes with a similar live weight of 160 kg. The study was conducted at Chainat Agriculture and Technology College, Chainat Province, Thailand. The animals were divided randomly into two groups, each group comprising six buffaloes, and the two groups were studied to evaluate the effects of modified roofing (normal roof fitted with woven polypropylene shade cloth) on the subjects' physiological responses to heat stress under hot humid conditions. The modified roof resulted in lowered heat stress in buffaloes compared to those under a standard roof. The difference was shown by the buffaloes having a significantly lower mean rectal temperature (39.14 ± 0.07 vs 40.00 ± 0.10°C) and plasma cortisol (2.14 ± 0.24 vs 3.38 ± 0.37 ng/ml). The average daily water consumption was significantly lower in the MR group (MR, 29.71 ± 0.86 vs NR, 34.14 ± 1.06 L head (-1) day(-1)), while there was a tendency for the roughage intake to be higher in the MR group compared to that of the NR group (MR, 5.88 ± 0.18 vs NR, 6.44 ± 0.19 kg head-1 (-1) day(-1); P = 0.0508). It was concluded that roof modification facilitated a reduction in heat load from roof re-radiation, and was an effective means of alleviating thermal stress in young buffaloes.

Effect of modified housing system on physiological parameters of Murrah buffaloes during autumn and winter season

“…Similar finding was observed by (Joshi, 2014) during autumn season and(Sinha, 2015) during winter season under modified housing system. (Khongdee, 2013) reported lower cortisol levels of buffaloes maintained under modified shed. Cortisol concentration increased from 3.8 to 6.5ng/ml when ambient temperature of climatic chamber increased from 24 to 38°C during 8 hours heat exposure (Habeeb, 2001).…”

The behaviour and productivity of water buffalo in different breeding systems: a review

“…Providing shelter and shade decreases thermal stress as reflected in reports of lower rectal temperatures (39.14 ± 0.07 vs. 40.00 ± 0.10 °C), lower plasma cortisol (2.14 ± 0.24 vs. 3.38 ± 0.37 ng/ml), and a significant reduction in water consumption (29.71 ± 0.86 vs. 34.14 ± 1.06 l/head/day), accompanied by increases in forage consumption (5.88 ± 0.18 vs. 6.44 ± 0.19 kg/head/day) (Khongdee et al 2013). The effects of these systems with shade are also shown in greater weight gain -757 vs. 337 g/ animal/day compared to animals raised under direct sunlight -lower rectal temperatures (38.3 °C vs. 39.1 °C), and lower respiratory frequency (22.6 vs. 48.4 mov/min) (Castro et al 2008).…”

“…↓ Agonistic behaviours (P ≤ 0.05) (Braghieri et al 2011b) Production of foods of animal origin during periods of scarce pasture (Jorge et al 2005) ↑ Non-agonistic social interactions such as sniffing and nuzzling (P < 0.01) (De Rosa et al 2009a) ↑ Weight gain (P ≤ 0.05) (Braghieri et al 2011b) Control of diet (Bartocci et al 2002) ↓ Reduced rectal temperature (39.14 vs. 40 °C) (Khongdee et al 2013) ↑ Weight at slaughter (P ≤ 0.05) (Braghieri et al 2011b) ↑ Greater use of the techniques of milk production used with bovine cattle (eg. 2 milkings per day) (Borghese 2013) ↓ Plasma cortisol concentration (2.14 vs. 3.38 ng/ml) (Khongdee et al 2013) ↑ Body condition (P ≤ 0.01) (Braghieri et al 2011b) ↓ Lower age at slaughter (400 kg at 15 months of age, approximately) (Borghese 2013) ↑ Food consumption (5.88 vs. 6.44 kg/ head/day) (Khongdee et al 2013) Weight gain of 706 g/day (Braghieri et al 2011b) ↑ Increased production indexes improve weight gain (Andrighetto et al 2008) ↑ Ruminant movements (22.6 vs. 48.4 mov/min) (Khongdee et al 2013) ↑ Space for walking with positive effects on claw conformation (Loberg et al 2004) Weight gain in the fattening phase of up to 1135 g/day (Spanghero et al 2004) ↑ Weight gain of 757 vs. 337 g/ animal/day (27); up to 1 kg/day with supplements (Peixoto et al 2012) ↑ Higher milk production (8.12 ± 0.002 vs. 7.77 ± 0.002 kg) (Lopes et al 2013) ↑ Higher cleanliness scores (2.80 ± 0.05 vs. 2.41 ± 0.05) (Lopes et al 2013) ↑ Antibody titres (P ≤ 0.05) (Grasso et al 1999) ↓ Time at rest (P ≤ 0.01) (Grasso et al 1999) …”

“…These alterations include depressed food intake, efficiency and utilisation, disturbances in water metabolism, protein, energy and mineral balances, hormonal secretions, enzymatic reactions, and blood metabolite levels (Castro et al 2008;Marai and Haeeb 2010). The water buffalo has dark skin sparsely covered with hair (Khongdee et al 2013). As a species, it is highly susceptible to thermal stress, especially under direct exposure to the sun's rays, since its evaporative cutaneous cooling mechanism is weak owing to the low density of sweat glands (Das and Khan 2010).…”

“…2 milkings per day) (Borghese 2013) ↓ Plasma cortisol concentration (2.14 vs. 3.38 ng/ml) (Khongdee et al 2013) ↑ Body condition (P ≤ 0.01) (Braghieri et al 2011b) ↓ Lower age at slaughter (400 kg at 15 months of age, approximately) (Borghese 2013) ↑ Food consumption (5.88 vs. 6.44 kg/ head/day) (Khongdee et al 2013) Weight gain of 706 g/day (Braghieri et al 2011b) ↑ Increased production indexes improve weight gain (Andrighetto et al 2008) ↑ Ruminant movements (22.6 vs. 48.4 mov/min) (Khongdee et al 2013) ↑ Space for walking with positive effects on claw conformation (Loberg et al 2004) Weight gain in the fattening phase of up to 1135 g/day (Spanghero et al 2004) ↑ Weight gain of 757 vs. 337 g/ animal/day (27); up to 1 kg/day with supplements (Peixoto et al 2012) ↑ Higher milk production (8.12 ± 0.002 vs. 7.77 ± 0.002 kg) (Lopes et al 2013) ↑ Higher cleanliness scores (2.80 ± 0.05 vs. 2.41 ± 0.05) (Lopes et al 2013) ↑ Antibody titres (P ≤ 0.05) (Grasso et al 1999) ↓ Time at rest (P ≤ 0.01) (Grasso et al 1999) …”