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Effect of spray cooling and wallowing on potassium concentration of erythrocytes in buffaloes (Bos bubalis) during summer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

P. C. Gangwar
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Sciences
C. S. Bahga
Affiliation:
Department of Processing and Agricultural Structures, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, India
R. K. Srivastava
Affiliation:
Department of Processing and Agricultural Structures, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, India
D. P. Dhingra
Affiliation:
Department of Processing and Agricultural Structures, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141004, India

Summary

Forty-five normal lactating buffaloes from Punjab Agricultural University, Dairy Farm herd, were used for this study and were divided into three groups as group I (control), group II (showers) and group III (wallowing). The study was conducted from May to September in two periods, May–June as period I (hot and dry) and July–September as period II (hot and humid). Potassium concentration was estimated on a flame photometer. The overall average values (m-equiv/l) were found to be lowest in the control group (21·5 ± 1·27) and highest in wallowing (24·3 ± 1·20). Lower values were obtained in period I than in period II. Different correlations of potassium concentration in red blood corpuscles with climatic variables are discussed. Erythrocyte potassium concentration may act as an index of heat tolerance in buffaloes.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1982

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