Seasonal effects on milk yield, erythrocytic and leukocytic indices of Kankrej cattle (Bos indicus)

Abstract

Aim: To assess seasonal influence on milk production and haematological indices of Kankrej cattle at different levels of productivity. Materials and Methods: 18 lactating Kankrej cows from Livestock Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar were categorized into group-I, group II and group III based on their milk yielding records. Blood samples collected from all the groups during different seasons were analyzed employing Automated Haematology Analyzer. Seasonal milk yield per animal was determined from daily milk yield records of each animal. Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) of the experimental period was calculated and correlated with milk yield of the experimental animals. Results: Increased milk yield per animal was observed during summer despite rise in THI. Erythrocytic indices except Hb varied significantly with one or the other production groups within the season or amongst the seasons unlike leukocytic indices and total thrombocyte count. Conclusion: Seasonal variations of blood indices studied may be helpful for physiological characterization of this breed and interpretation of climatic influences on productivity. Further, as milk yield was observed to be peak during summer, future study is warranted to characterize and investigate expression level of Heat shock proteins during different seasons. © The authors.