Effects of Melatonin on Adrenal Cortical Functions of Indian Goats under Thermal Stress

The study was conducted with the primary objective to establish the influence of melatonin on adrenocortical functions to ameliorate thermal stress in goats. Endocrine secretions and several other blood biochemical parameters reflecting the animals adrenocortical stress response were determined over a one-week period after goats had been exposed to 40°C and 60%RH for 10 days. The study was conducted for a period of 17 days in psychrometric chamber. The animals served as self-controls prior to start of the experiment. Blood samples were drawn on day 10 to establish effect of thermal stress. Chemical adrenalectomy was achieved using metyrapone followed by exogenous melatonin treatment. 40°C of thermal stress which is quite normal in tropical zone significantly (P ≤ .05) influenced all parameters except plasma insulin. Metyrapone treatment significantly (P ≤ .05) affected plasma levels of glucose, total protein, total cholesterol, cortisol, and aldosterone. Metyrapone aggravated thermal stress by decreasing cortisol level in goats. Melatonin treatment at 11:00 AM significantly (P ≤ .05) influenced plasma levels of glucose, total protein, total cholesterol, cortisol, aldosterone and insulin. Metyrapone treatment aggravated thermal stress although administration of melatonin could ameliorate the condition. This establishes the role of melatonin in relieving thermal stress in goats

Gut Health and Immunity in Improving Poultry Production

A healthy gastro intestinal system is important for poultry to achieve its maximumproduction potential. This paper aims gut health and immunity to improve production in the poultry sector. Genetics, Nutrition and Bio security ate the factors influences the production. Gut consisting of various pH and micro biota throughout is an advantageous feature to prevent infections. Various components like Goblet cells, paneth cells, endocrine cells and absorptive enterocytes, tight junctions, GALT and Mucus play a major role in gut health. Balanced diet with optimum carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, enzymes, organic acids and good management practices are important for improving production. Alteration in supplementation essential amino acids, Zn, Vit E, Se … viz. are needed according to changes in environment and production state of the bird to develop good immunity. Stress free environment with fine hormonal balance are imperative for maximum output. Exploration of genes involved in resistant to food borne pathogens and research towards bio markers for gut health is the need of the hour. In can be concluded that good gut health and immunity play a key role in production. These can be achieved y maintaining birds with optimum nutrients and stress free environment

Water Use and Dairy Production System: An Indian Experience

Increasing water scarcity and simultaneously growing demands for food and feed challenge agricultural production. Globally livestock feed sourcing is one of the major causes for water depletion; therefore, increasing livestock water use efficiency (LWUE) is necessary. There is a need to synthesise LWUE knowledge generated across different forage based livestock production systems (FLPS) over time and systematically identify entry points to enhance productive uses of freshwater resources. Although these systems vary by their degree of intensification, scale of water-related problems, and therefore in their values of LWUE, a number of common entry points to increase LWUE can be identified. To understand the pattern of livestock water use and social dynamics involved in water use and milk production, around 240 small and medium dairy farms in Karnataka, India, were used for the present study. Direct and indirect consumptive uses of water by animals considered were water used for drinking, water inputs through green and dry fodder, consumptive water usage for on-farm servicing and crop irrigation and water inputs through all upstream inputs such as medicines, vaccines and others. Water use efficiency (WUE) for production of milk alone is operationally defined in this study

GHG Emissions from Livestock: Challenges and Ameliorative Measures to Counter Adversity

Livestock and climate change are interlinked through a complex mechanism and serve the role of both contributor as well as sufferer. The livestock sector is primarily accountable for the emission of methane and nitrous oxide. Methane emission takes place from both enteric fermentation and manure management; whilst nitrous oxide emission is purely from manure management. Rumen methanogenesis due to emission intensity and loss of biological energy always remains a priority for the researchers. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from manure are determined by storage conditions and the organic content of the manure waste. Due to large livestock population, India is a major contributor of enteric methane emission, while its contribution to the excrement methane is negligible. In this chapter, information pertaining to enteric methane emission, excrement methane and nitrous oxide emissions and ameliorative/precautionary measures for reducing the intensity of emissions have been compiled and presented

Effect of multiple environmental stressors on the adaptive capability of Malpura rams based on physiological responses in a semi-arid tropical environment

A 45-day study was conducted where the primary objective was to evaluate the effect of simultaneously imposed multiple stressors (thermal, nutritional, and walking) on the adaptive capability of Malpura rams based on changes in ingestive behavior, physiological, blood biochemical, and endocrine responses. Twenty adult Malpura rams (average body weight 44.9\ua0kg) were used in the study. The rams were divided into 2 groups, CON (n\ua0= 10; control) and multiple stressors (MS; n\ua0= 10; multiple stressors). All of the rams were stall fed with a diet consisting of 70% roughage and 30% concentrate. The CON rams were maintained in a shed under ambient conditions with ad libitum feeding without walking, whereas MS rams were subjected to multiple stressors (thermal, nutritional, and walking). The feed intake (P < 0.01) was lower and water intake (P < 0.01) was higher in MS compared to CON rams. Among the physiological measurements, respiration rate afternoon (P < 0.01), pulse rate morning (P < 0.01), rectal temperature afternoon (P < 0.01), skin temperature afternoon (P < 0.05), and both morning and afternoon scrotum temperature (P < 0.01) increased significantly in MS rams. Both hemoglobin (P < 0.05), packed cell volume (P < 0.01), increased and plasma glucose (P < 0.01) reduced significantly (P < 0.01) in MS as compared to CON rams. Among the endocrine parameters, the plasma cortisol increased and plasma thyroxin reduced significantly (P < 0.05) in MS rams. The study indicates that Malpura rams have the capability to adjust their physio-biochemical and endocrine responses to cope with multiple stressors in a hot semi-arid environment. Furthermore, the study also indicated that respiration rate, rectal temperature, scrotal temperature, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, and cortisol may act as ideal biological markers for quantifying the impact of multiple stressors in Malpura rams

Mitigation of the Heat Stress Impact in Livestock Reproduction

Heat stress affects the fertility and reproductive livestock performance by compromising the physiology reproductive tract, through hormonal imbalance, decreased oocyte quality and poor semen quality, and decreased embryo development and survival. Heat stress decreases the secretion of luteinizing hormone and estradiol resulting in reduced length and intensity of estrus expression, increased incidence of anoestrus and silent heat in farm animals. Oocytes exposed to thermal stress lose its competence for fertilization and development into the blastocyst stage, which results in decreased fertility because of the production of poor quality oocytes and embryos. Furthermore, low progesterone secretion limits the endometrial functions, and subsequently embryo development. In addition, the increased secretion of endometrial prostaglandin F2 alpha during heat stress threatens the maintenance of pregnancy. In general, the percentage of conception rate was found to be reduced by 4.6% for each unit increase in temperature humidity index (THI) above 70, and heat stress during pregnancy further slows down the growth of the foetus and results in lower birth weight. In tropical and subtropical regions, during hot days, the testicular temperature may increase and impair both the spermatogenic cycle and semen quality, which culminates in decreased bull fertility. The effects of heat stress on livestock can be minimized via adapting suitable scientific strategies comprising physical modifications of the environment, nutritional management and genetic development of breeds that are less sensitive to heat stress. In addition, the summer infertility may be countered through advanced reproductive technologies involving hormonal treatments, timed artificial insemination and embryo transfer, which may enhance the chances for establishing pregnancy in farm animals

Livestock as Sources of Greenhouse Gases and Its Significance to Climate Change

This chapter outlines the role of livestock in the production of greenhouse gases (GHGs) that contributes to climate change. Livestock contribute both directly and indirectly to climate change through the emissions of GHGs such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). As animal production systems are vulnerable to climate change and are large contributors to potential global warming, it is vital to understand in detail enteric CH4 emission and manure management in different livestock species. Methane emissions from livestock are estimated to be approximately 2.2 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalents, accounting for about 80% of agricultural CH4 and 35% of the total anthropogenic CH4 emissions. Furthermore, the global livestock sector contributes about 75% of the agricultural N2O emissions. Other sources of GHG emission from livestock and related activities are fossil fuels used for associated farm activities, N2O emissions from fertilizer use, CH4 release from the breakdown of fertilizers and from animal manure, and land-use changes for feed production. There are several techniques available to quantify CH4 emission, and simulation models offer a scope to predict accurately the GHG emission from a livestock enterprise as a whole. Quantifying GHG emission from livestock may pave the way for understanding the role of livestock to climate change and this will help in designing appropriate mitigation strategies to reduce livestock-related GHGs

The Impact of Heat Load on Cattle

Heat stress and cold stress have a negative influence on cattle welfare and productivity. There have been some studies investigating the influence of cold stress on cattle, however the emphasis within this review is the influence of heat stress on cattle. The impact of hot weather on cattle is of increasing importance due to the changing global environment. Heat stress is a worldwide phenomenon that is associated with reduced animal productivity and welfare, particularly during the summer months. Animal responses to their thermal environment are extremely varied, however, it is clear that the thermal environment influences the health, productivity, and welfare of cattle. Whilst knowledge continues to be developed, managing livestock to reduce the negative impact of hot climatic conditions remains somewhat challenging. This review provides an overview of the impact of heat stress on production and reproduction in bovines

Adaptation strategies: ruminants

Growing populations and reduced access to arable land mean that animal production systems will either need to intensify and/or produce more from a reducing land and other resource base. Variable and unpredictable environmental conditions mean that animal production faces numerous challenges. In add- ition to climate, these challenges include increased disease risk, increased nutritional deficiencies, and lack of capital to support diversification. Predicted changes in climate will impose selection pressures on traits important for biological fitness (and production). Genetic adaptation is important for the future of livestock systems. Animal adaptation involves trade-offs, which must be considered when selecting animals for use in breeding programs