Effect of Electrolytes Supplementation on Feed Intake, Physiological Responses and Electrolytes Status in Buffaloes under Heat Stress

The experiment was carried out on six buffalo calves in three phases to study the effect of heat stress and salt supplementation. In phase-I, animals were kept under natural conditions. In phase-II, animals were exposed at 40°C in a climatic chamber. In phase-III, animals were supplemented with NaHCO₃ KCl and KHCO₃ and exposed at 40°C in climatic chamber. RR, RT increased significantly after heat exposure and decreased when supplemented with salts. The PR increased due to thermal exposure but did not differ significantly during supplementation of salts. DMI decreased due to thermal stress and increased when supplemented with salts. Blood levels of sodium, potassium and chloride decreased on exposure and the levels normalize when supplemented with salts. There was no significant variation in the levels of calcium, magnessum and phosphorus. The results indicated lower physiological responses and normal electrolytes levels after supplementation with salts during heat stress.