Five buffalo heifers (1.5–2 years old) and 7 non lactating non
pregnant buffalo cows (4 – 5 years old) weighed 214.7 ± 11.3 and
471.4 ± 12.8 Kg, respectively were exposed to direct solar radiation
for a 5 hrs. period from 10.00 am. to 15.00 pm. day after day along
August month. All the parameters under study were taken twice daily,
in the morning at 8-9 am and after exposure to solar radiation for each
animal.
Rectal temperature (RT), respiration rate (RR), pulse rate (PR),
hematological parameters, serum total protein, Albumin, globulin,
sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-), liver enzymes (AST and
ALT U/L), serum cortisol level, total body fluid (TBF), extracellular
fluid (ECF), intracellular fluid (ICF), interstitial fluid (ISF), dry body
weight (DBW), plasma volume (PV) and blood volume (BV) were
determined.
Significant increase (P<0.01) in RT, RR and pulse rate, after
exposure to sun ray, the increase of RR were 406.7% for heifers and
410.7% for buffalo cows. Pulse rate was increased by 32.62% for
heifers and 35.37% for buffalo cows. Total protein and albumin
significantly decrease in stressed animals. Exposure to sun ray caused
increase in liver enzymes, Na, K, and Cl concentration in buffalo
cows. Cortisol level was significantly increased (P<0.01) by 51.33%
in buffalo heifers and by 44.19% in buffalo cows. Solar radiation
caused a loss in DBW which was 28.56% in heifers and 30.05% in
buffalo cows.
Exposure to solar radiation increased significantly (P<0.05 and
P<0.01) absolute and relative total body fluids to body weight,
extracellular fluid ml/ Kg BW, absolute and relative intracellular fluid
and interstitial fluid ml/ Kg BW, while insignificant increase was
found in ECF,L and ISF, L in both buffalo heifers and buffalo cows.
The absolute value of PV increased significantly (P < 0.01) by
68.82% after exposure to direct solar radiation in buffalo cows, while
plasma volume insignificantly increase after heifers exposed to solar
radiation. There is significantly (P < 0.05) increase of BV due to
exposed to solar radiation by 7.88 % in buffalo cows.