Effect of modified housing system on physiological parameters of Murrah buffaloes during autumn and winter season

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of modified housing system on physiological parameters like rectal temperature, skin temperature, plasma cortisol level, respiration rate and pulse rate (counts/min) of Murrah buffaloes during autumn and winter seasons. A total of 14 lactating Murrah buffaloes were randomly selected and divided into two groups, on the basis of age, body weight (BW) and parity (P). T1=First group (n=7; BW=544.86kg; P=2.14) of buffaloes was housed under existing loose housing system and T2=Second group (n=7; BW=547.71kg; P=2.28) of buffaloes was housed under modified shed. In the present study, in autumn and winter season the mean rectal temperature were (T1=101.56±0.06 vs. T2=100.94±0.12ºF and T1=100.71±0.10 vs. T2=100.22±0.08ºF), skin temperature were (T1=95.19±0.61 vs. T2=93.01±0.57 ºF and T1=90.27±0.23 vs. T2=89.06±0.27 ºF) and plasma cortisol level (T1=4.04±0.23 vs. T2=3.31±0.21 and T1=3.19±0.12 vs. T2=2.70±0.14 ng/ml) respectively. These parameters were significantly (P less than 0.05) lower in buffaloes housed under T2 as compared to T1 in autumn season, respiration rate (T1=37.39±1.02 vs. T2=30.99±1.21 and T1=26.56±0.84 vs. T2=23.81±0.66 counts/min.) was significantly lower in autumn (P less than 0.01) and winter season (P less than 0.0) and pulse rate (T1=60.91±1.17 vs. T2=52.52±1.44 and T1=55.01±0.52 vs. T2=51.27±0.53 counts/min) was significantly (P less than 0.01) lower in buffaloes housed under T2 as compared to T1 in both seasons. The Murrah buffaloes housed under modified shed were improved physiological reactions during the autumn and winter seasons.