Erythrocytic Peroxidase Activity Of Buffalo Calves

Peroxidase plays a defensive role in the body by protecting it from peroxides. It is a hemoprotein catalysing the oxidation by hydrogen peroxide of a number of substrates such as ascorbate, ferrocyanide, cytochrome C etc. Stress effect on antioxidant enzyme peroxidase is referred to as a function of time. Timely protection of the animals from the threats of oxidative stress is an important aspect of healthy management. Peroxidase activity is considered as the main indicator of the antioxidant activity. In view of the scantiness of research on this aspect in buffalo calves, the present investigation was planned to determine erythrocytic peroxidase activity in male and female buffalo calves during moderate and hot environmental temperature period. The moderate (control) mean value of eryhrocyticperoxidase was 5.13±0.03 U gHb⁻¹. The mean values of eryhrocytic peroxidase was significantly (p≤0.05) higher during hot environmental temperature period as compared to moderate mean value. The erythrocytic mean value was 2.00 times higher during hot environmental temperature period than moderate period mean value. A highly significant (p≤0.01) effect of variation in environmental temperature was also observed by analysis of variance. Its increased activity during hot environmental temperature period signified oxidative stress. The mean values were significantly (p≤0.05) higher in male animals than females. In each ambience the age effect showed a significant (p ≤0.05) increase in the mean values being highest in the animals of 2–4.5 years of age.The highly significant (p≤0.01) sex and age effects were revealed by analysis of variance. Data generated in the study can help in realistic evaluation of the management practices including antioxidant supplementation and diagnosis of disease conditions as changes in the level in the blood can be used diagnostically to determine the extent of damage or dysfunction of the body at cellular level.