Evaluation of physiological and biochemical responses in different seasons in Surti buffaloes.

AIM: This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of hot dry, hot humid and comfortable season on physiological, hematological, biochemical, and oxidative stress parameters in Surti buffaloes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten lactating Surti buffaloes of similar physiological status were selected. Based on the temperature-humidity index (THI), their natural exposure to the environment was categorized as hot dry (THI1), hot humid (THI2) and moderate winter/comfort season (THI3). Blood/serum samples were collected and analyzed for physiological, hematological, biochemical, and oxidative stress parameters. The results were analyzed using standard statistical methods. RESULTS: With increase in THI, significant rise in physiological parameters such as respiration rate (RR), hematological parameters such as red blood cell (RBC), hematocrit, hemoglobin (Hb) and mean cell Hb concentration (MCHC), biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Na, K, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, Mn, Cu and Zn, hormones such as cortisol and oxidative stress parameters such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxide (LPO) and total antioxidant status (TAS) and significant decline in glucose, cholesterol and triiodothyronine (T3) was observed. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that THI is a sensitive indicator of heat stress and is impacted by ambient temperature more than the relative humidity in buffaloes. Higher THI is associated with significantly increased RR, total RBC count, Hb, hematocrit, MCHC, ALT, urea, sodium, creatinine, triiodothyronine, SOD, GPx, LPO and TAS and with significant decrease in glucose, cholesterol and triiodothyronine (T3).

Effects of ß-mercaptoethanol on in vitro maturation and glutathione level of buffalo oocytes.

AIM: The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of supplementation of ß-mercaptoethanol (ß-ME) on in vitro maturation rate and glutathione (GSH) level of buffalo oocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Oocytes were recovered from buffalo's ovaries collected from government approved slaughter house (near Kamela darwaza, Surat) of Surat Municipal Corporation. The obtained oocytes were in vitro matured in maturation media supplemented with 0 µM (117 oocytes), 100 µM (46 oocytes) and 200 µM (42 oocytes) concentration of ß-ME. After 24 h of incubation, maturation rate of oocytes and intra-cellular GSH level were determined. RESULTS: The results showed that the presence of ß-ME did not influence (p>0.05) the oocyte maturation rate. However, GSH level increased significantly (p<0.05) in matured oocytes when supplemented with 100 µM and 200 µM ß-ME (6.19±0.10 and 6.37±0.20 pmol/oocyte) as compared to control media (4.68±0.26 pmol/oocyte). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that ß-ME may have a potential to increase the meiotic maturation of in vitro cultured oocytes and protect it from oxidative damage.