Effect of heat stress on reproductive performance, blood biochemical and physiological parameters of sows following mating

The experiment was conducted with a total of 12 sows of different breeds (Pure Hampshire, Khasi local and Ghungroo) for evaluating the effect of heat stress on reproductive performance, blood biochemical and physiological parameters of sows following mating. The experiment was conducted at Livestock Production Farm, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya-793103, India for a period of 3 months. The animals were divided into 2 groups viz. experimental and control groups consisting 6 sows in each. The animals of experimental group were kept in continuous exposure to direct sunlight daily for 6 hours (from 9 A.M. to 3 P.M.) up to 20 days following mating and after that, they were kept separately. The animals of the control group were also kept separately in normal condition in shaded room with temperature average 71.6^o F following mating. The serum protein (9.2 ± 0.87 g/dl) and glucose values (112.25 ± 0.75 mg/dl) & the physiological parameters like rectal temperature (41.9°C ± 0.10 per minute), respiration rate (30 ± 0.07 breaths per minute) and heart rate (82 ± 0.15 beats per minute) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in experimental group of animal than the control but the value recorded in relation to the litter size number (5.97 ± 0.19) at weaning was found to be significantly higher (p<0.05) in control than that of the experimental group and serum cholesterol concentration (116.65 ± 0.05 mg/dl) also increased significantly (p<0.05) in control group than that of the experimental.

HIGHLIGHTS

Heat stress reduces the reproductive performance of animals.

Heat stress causes alteration of blood biochemical and physiological parameters of animal.