Effect of Vitamin C Supplementation on LDH Activity in Buffaloes Exposed to Thermal Stress

Eighteen adult Murrah buffaloes divided into three groups of six each. Group I and group II were exposed at 40°C in a climatic chamber. Buffaloes in group II were supplemented with L-Ascorbyl 2 Phosphate @ 20 g/animal/day, while those in group III, kept in shed (January-February), served as control. The differences in LDH activity before exposure to thermal stress were statistically non-significant among groups. After exposure to thermal stress LDH activity increased significantly in group I than in group III. The LDH activity in group II was higher but statistically non-significant than that in group III. However, LDH activity of group II was significantly lower than that in group I. The significantly lower LDH activity in vitamin C supplemented heat exposed buffaloes indicated a counterbalancing action of vitamin C to prevent cell damage during thermal stress.