Dietary Supplementation of Ascorbic Acid on Hemato-Biochemical and Hormonal Parameters in Swamp Buffaloes

Effect of ascorbic acid on hemato-biochemical and hormonal profile of swamp buffaloes were investigated during summer and post summer months. Eighteen swamp buffaloes (Avg. b.wt.336.24±10.27kg, age 3.5 years) were divided randomly into three groups of six each. The animals were supplemented with ascorbic acid (AA) at the rate of 0, 10 and 15 g/animal/day for 150 days and designated as T₁ T₂ and T₃. Blood was collected on 0, 30^th, 60^th, 90^th, 120^th and 150^th day of the experiment and analysed. Results indicated that the value of haemoglobin (Hb), Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and thyroxin was higher (p<0.05) in T₃ as compared to T₁ and T₂ groups. The value of Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) was significantly (p>0.05) higher while total leucocytic count (TLC), neutrophil, eosinophil, total protein, AST (Aspertate aminotransferase) and ALT (Alanine aminotransferase) was lower in T₂ and T₃ as compared to T₁. Across the treatment T₂ and T₃ showed significantly (p<0.05) higher tri-iodothyronine and lymphocytes and (p<0.05) lower serum glucose and cortisol concentration as compared to T₁. From this study, it is concluded that dietary supplementation of AA modulated hemato-biochemical and hormonal parameters in beneficial ways in swamp buffaloes to cope up thermal stress during summer and post summer months. The dose rate of AA 15 g/day/animal found to be more effective than 10 g/d/animal.