Effect of infrared lamps to ameliorate cold stress in Vrindavani calves

AIM: This study was conducted to determine the effect of infrared lamps to ameliorate cold stress in Vrindavani (Holstein Friesian × Brown Swiss × Jersey × Hariana) calves. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the present investigation, ten newborn Vrindavani calves were randomly divided into two groups (G(1) and G(2)) of five each. The experiment was conducted from 2(nd) November to 8(th) February when the environmental temperature was at the lowest. The calves of G(1) were provided with no additional protection while the calves of G(2) were protected against the cold weather by providing heat using the infrared lamps. The body weight (kg) of the calves was recorded at weekly interval. The blood samples collected within 6 h of birth and then at fortnightly interval were analyzed for packed cell volume (PCV, %), hemoglobin (Hb, g/dl). Besides, the serum biochemical parameters, viz., Total serum protein (TSP, g/l), albumin (g/l), globulin (g/l), albumin globulin ratio (A:G) and important stress parameters, viz., triiodothyronine (T(3), ng/ml), thyroxine (T(4), ng/ml) and cortisol (ng/ml) were also estimated. RESULTS: The calves of G(2) showed higher body weight gain as compared to G(1). The differences were found to be highly significant (p<0.01). The calves in G(1) showed comparatively higher values of PCV and Hb and the differences were found to be significant (p<0.05) on 45(th) day for PCV and highly significant (p<0.01) on 60(th) day for PCV and on 45(th) day for Hb. The values of TSP and albumin were comparatively higher in calves of G(1) as compared to G(2) and the differences were highly significant (p<0.01) on 45(th) day for both TSP and albumin and significant (p<0.05) on 60(th) day for albumin. Significantly (p<0.01) higher values of cortisol and T(4) were observed on 15 and 45(th) day in calves of G(1) as compared to G(2). The T(3) levels were also found higher in calves of G(1) than G(2) and the differences were significant (p<0.05) on 15 and 30(th) day and highly significant (p<0.01) on 45(th) day of the study. CONCLUSION: Based on the results, it could be concluded that the infrared lamps are efficient in providing favorable microclimate and hence can be effectively used in calf shed to protect newborn calves from adverse conditions of winter and to improve their body growth performance.