title: Effect of misting and wallowing cooling systems on milk yield, blood and physiological variables during heat stress in lactating Murrah buffalo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Heat stress adversely affects the physiological and metabolic status, and the productive performance of buffalo.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study was conducted to explicate the effect of misting and wallowing cooling strategies during heat stress in lactating Murrah buffalo. The study was conducted for three months (May-July) of which first two months were hot dry and last month was hot humid. Eighteen lactating buffaloes, offered the same basal diet, were blocked by days in milk, milk yield and parity, and then randomly allocated to three treatments: negative control (no cooling), cooling by misting, and cooling by wallowing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed higher (P < 0.05) milk yield in buffaloes of misting and wallowing group compared to control during the experimental period however wallowing was found more (P < 0.05) effective during July (hot humid period). Both the treatments resulted into significant (P < 0.05) reduction in rectal temperature (RT) and respiratory rate (RR) compared to control animals during study period whereas wallowing was found to be effective on pulse rate (PR) only during July. Both treatments were resulted in mitigating the heat stress mediated decrease in packed cell volume (PCV), lymphocytopnoea and neutrophilia whereas decrease in total erythrocyte count (TEC) and monocytes was only mitigated by wallowing. Heat load induced alteration in serum creatinine and sodium concentration was significantly (P < 0.05) ameliorated by misting and wallowing whereas aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and superoxide dismutase activity, and reactive oxygen species concentration could be normalized neither by misting nor by wallowing. The significant (P < 0.05) increment in serum cortisol and prolactin levels observed in June and July period in control animals was significantly (P < 0.05) prevented by misting and wallowing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It can be concluded that misting and wallowing were equally effective in May and June (hot dry period) whereas wallowing was more effective during hot humid period in preventing a decline in milk production and maintaining physiological, metabolic, endocrine and redox homeostasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Veterinary University, Mathura, 281001 UP India.
authors.forename: Brijesh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Veterinary University, Mathura, 281001 UP India.
authors.forename: Vijay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pandey
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Veterinary University, Mathura, 281001 UP India.
authors.forename: Sarvajeet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.affiliation: Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Veterinary University, Mathura, 281001 UP India.
authors.forename: Yajuvendra
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Veterinary University, Mathura, 281001 UP India.
authors.forename: Vinod
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Veterinary University, Mathura, 281001 UP India.
authors.forename: Rajneesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sirohi
keywords: Buffalo; Heat stress; Milk production; Misting; Physio-biochemical responses; Wallowing