Effect of Transient Feed Withdrawal Stress on Physiological Indices and Acid-Base Balance in Equid

Abstract

Impact of transient feed withdrawal was conducted on physiological responses.
blood gases and acid-base balance was studied on indigenous donkeys and mules.
The transient wi thdrawal of feed leading to starvation for 10 successi ve days progressi vel y
reduced the total water intake almost to a similar extent both in donkeys and
mules. Comparatively little or no effect on rectal temperature and pulse rate during
starvation stress in donkeys as compared to the significant effect observed in mules,
reflected a better tolerance of donkeys over mules under total feed withdrawal
stress. The values of pCOz and pH in blood decreased significantly (P<O.05) during
this period in both the species as compared to their control values. All the physiological
parameters and total water intake, reached to normal levels by 2nd day of recovery
indicating that the feed withdrawal stress had little deleterious effect on physiological
acti vities.