Journal of Animal Research
  • Year: 2020
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 6

Effect of melatonin supplementation on physiological observations in buffalo calves under summer stress

  • Author:
  • Vijay D. Domple1*, Amol R. Padol2, C.D. Malapure3, Bhupesh P. Kamdi4, Roshan M. Sarode3
  • Total Page Count: 4
  • Page Number: 1095 to 1098

1Division of Physiology and Climatology, ICAR-IVRI, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India

2Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, ICAR-IVRI, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India

3Division of Animal Nutrition, ICAR-IVRI, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India

4Division of Pathology, ICAR-IVRI, Izatnagar, Bareilly, India

*Corresponding author: VD Domple; E-mail: vijaydomple@gmail.com

Online published on 27 May, 2021.

Abstract

A study was undertaken to investigate the effect of melatonin supplementation on physiological parameters in buffalo calves under summer stress. Twelve healthy Murrah buffalo male calves of 6 month to 1 year age group were taken for the study. Buffalo calves were divided into control (CG) and treatment (TG) group. In TG, Melatonin (18 mg/50 kg BW) was injected subcutaneously, two times at 1st and 20th day. Rectal temperature (RT) (°F), respiratory rate (RR) (breathes per minute) and pulse rate (PR) (beats per minute) was recorded by a clinical thermometer, flank movement and by palpating the coccygeal artery respectively. RT, RR and PR differed significantly (P<0.05) in CG and TG between morning and afternoon. RT, RR & PR were increased significantly (P<0.05) from morning to afternoon in both the groups. During afternoon the rectal temperature was significantly (P<0.05) lower in treatment group. In conclusion, melatonin affected the fluctuation in physiological activity.

HIGHLIGHTS

RT, RR and PR differed significantly (P<0.05) in control and melatonin injected groups between morning and afternoon.

Injection of melatonin significantly (P<0.05) lowered rectal temperature in buffalo calves.

Keywords

Melatonin, Physiological observations, Buffalo calves, Summer stress