Breed-specific seasonal adaptation of Gir and Rathi cattle under tropical climate

MADHURI  PALAGIRI; JAYASRI  KANTHETI; CHAITANYA KUMAR  T V; PUNYAKUMARI  BHUPATI; PADMAJA  KONDETI

doi:10.56093/ijans.v96i7.172530

Authors

MADHURI PALAGIRI Department of Veterinary Biochemistry,College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati-517 502, Andhra Pradesh, India
JAYASRI KANTHETI Department of Veterinary Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Science, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati-517 502, Andhra Pradesh, India
CHAITANYA KUMAR T V Department of Veterinary Biochemistry, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati-517 502, Andhra Pradesh, India
PUNYAKUMARI BHUPATI Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati-517 502, Andhra Pradesh, India
PADMAJA KONDETI Department of Veterinary Biochemistry, Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati-517 502, Andhra Pradesh, India

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v96i7.172530

Keywords:

Antioxidant enzymes, Heat tolerance, Indigenous cattle, Lipid peroxidation, Thermotolerance, Total antioxidant capacity

Abstract

Heat stress is a major limitation to dairy production in tropical regions, influencing metabolic balance, oxidative stability, and overall performance of cattle. Although indigenous breeds are considered tolerant to high temperatures, comparative information on their thermotolerance at regional levels remains limited. The present study evaluated seasonal adaptability of two important Indian breeds, Gir and Rathi, by assessing their biochemical profile, mineral status, oxidative markers, antioxidant activity, and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) concentration during autumn and hot-dry summer season. Six healthy lactating cows of each breed were examined in both seasons. Summer conditions were associated with a decline in serum glucose and triglycerides, while cholesterol, creatinine, and liver enzyme activities remained unchanged in both breeds. Calcium and magnesium concentrations decreased, and phosphorus levels increased in summer, with Gir showing a more evident reduction in calcium. Lipid hydroperoxides did not vary between seasons, whereas malondialdehyde levels were lower in summer, suggesting reduced oxidative damage. Antioxidant status improved under heat stress, indicated by elevated total antioxidant capacity, higher glutathione levels, and increased activities of major antioxidant enzymes, along with reduced superoxide dismutase activity. Notably, Rathi cattle exhibited stronger antioxidant responses and significantly higher HSP70 levels during summer, indicating comparatively superior thermotolerance under tropical conditions.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

1. Alberghina D, Piccione G, Casella S, Panzera M, Morgante M and Gianesella M. 2013. The effect of the season on some blood metabolites and haptoglobin in dairy cows during postpartum period. Archives Animal Breeding 56(1): 354–359. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7482/0003-9438-56-035

2. Allain C C, Poon L S, Chan C S, Richmond W F P C and Fu P C. 1974. Enzymatic determination of total serum cholesterol. Clinical Chemistry 20(4): 470–475. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/clinchem/20.4.470

3. Altyeb Y H, Absy G, Ghanem M E, Sharawy S M and Hassan S T. 2025. Effect of heat stress on some serum and reproductive parameters of Holstein dairy cows in Egypt: potential biomarkers. BMC Veterinary Research 21(1): 574. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-05039-6

4. Beers R F and Sizer I W. 1952. Spectrophotometric method for measuring the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide by catalase. Journal of Biological Chemistry 195(1): 133–140. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9258(19)50881-X

5. Bernabucci U, Lacetera N, Baumgard L H, Rhoads R P, Ronchi B and Nardone A. 2010. Metabolic and hormonal acclimation to heat stress in domesticated ruminants. Animal 4(7): 1167–1183. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S175173111000090X

6. Bhanuprakash V, Singh U, Sengar G, Sajjanar B, Bhusan B, Raja T V, Alex R, Kumar S, Singh, R, Kumar A and Alyethodi R R. 2016. Differential effect of thermal stress on HSP70 expression, nitric oxide production and cell proliferation among native and crossbred dairy cattle. Journal of Thermal Biology 59: 18–25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2016.04.012

7. Bharati J, Dangi S S, Chouhan V S, Mishra S R, Bharti M K, Verma V, Shankar O, Yadav VP, Das K, Paul A and Bag S. 2017. Expression dynamics of HSP70 during chronic heat stress in Tharparkar cattle. International Journal of Biometeorology 61(6): 1017–1027. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-016-1281-1

8. Burtis C A, Ashwood E R and Bruns D E. 2005. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. Elsevier Saunders, Philadelphia, USA.

9. Cartwright S L, Schmied J, Karrow N and Mallard B A. 2023. Impact of heat stress on dairy cattle and selection strategies for thermotolerance: a review. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 10: 1198697. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2023.1198697

10. Chandrashekhar S K, Sathisa K B, Bellur S R, Tikare V P, Reddy I J and Kartikesh S M. 2017. Seasonal effects on serum biochemical and hormonal profile in Denoi crossbred cow. Bulletin of Environment Pharmacology and Life Sciences 6: 59–62.

11. Chaudhary S S, Singh V K, Upadhyay R C, Puri G, Odedara A B and Patel P A. 2015. Evaluation of physiological and biochemical responses in different seasons in Surti buffaloes. Veterinary World 8(6): 727–731. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2015.727-731

12. Collier R J, Baumgard L H, Zimbelman R B and Xiao Y. 2019. Heat stress: physiology of acclimation and adaptation. Animal Frontiers 9(1): 12–19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfy031

13. Dar A H, Kumar S, Singh D V, Sodhi M, Sharma R K, Ghosh A K and Rahman J U. 2019. Seasonal variation in blood biochemical characteristics of Badri cattle. The Pharma Innovation Journal 8(9): 147–150.

14. Das R, Sailo L, Verma N, Bharti P, Saikia J and Kumar R. 2016. Impact of heat stress on health and performance of dairy animals: A review. Veterinary World 9(3): 260. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2016.260-268

15. Davis M S, Mader T L, Holt S M and Parkhurst A M. 2003. Strategies to reduce feedlot cattle heat stress: effects on tympanic temperature. Journal of Animal Science 81: 649– 661. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2527/2003.813649x

16. Ellman G L. 1959. Tissue sulfhydryl groups. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 82(1): 70–77. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-9861(59)90090-6

17. Ermak G and Davies K J. 2002. Calcium and oxidative stress: from cell signaling to cell death. Molecular Immunology 38(10): 713–721. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0161-5890(01)00108-0

18. FAO. 2015. The Second Report on the State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.

19. Fossati P and Prencipe L. 1982. Serum triglycerides determined colorimetrically with an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide. Clinical Chemistry 28(10): 2077–2080. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/clinchem/28.10.2077

20. Gamst O and Try K. 1980. Determination of serum phosphate without deproteinization by ultraviolet spectrophotometry of the phosphomolybdic acid complex. Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation 40(5): 483–486. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/00365518009101872

21. Garcia A B, Angeli N, Machado L, de Cardoso F C and Gonzalez F. 2015. Relationships between heat stress and metabolic and milk parameters in dairy cows in southern Brazil. Tropical Animal Health and Production 47(5): 889– 894. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-015-0804-9

22. Gornall A G, Bardawill C J and David M M. 1949. Determination of serum proteins by means of the biuret reaction. Journal of Biological Chemistry 177(2): 751–756. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9258(18)57021-6

23. Grewal S, Aggarwal A and Alhussien M N. 2021. Seasonal alterations in inflammatory cytokines and cortisol concentrations in periparturient Sahiwal cows. Biological Rhythm Research 52(8): 1229-1239. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09291016.2019.1670971

24. Habeeb A A, Gad A E and Atta M A. 2018. Temperature–humidity indices as indicators of heat stress in livestock with relation to production and reproduction. International Journal of Biotechnology and Recent Advances 1(1): 35–50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18689/ijbr-1000107

25. Habig W H, Pabst M J and Jakoby W B. 1974. Glutathione S-transferases: the first enzymatic step in mercapturic acid formation. Journal of Biological Chemistry 249(22): 7130– 7139. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9258(19)42083-8

26. Helal A, Youssef K M, El-Shaer H M, Gipson T A, Goetsch A L and Askar A R. 2010. Effects of acclimatization on energy expenditure by different goat genotypes. Livestock Science 127(1): 67–75. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2009.08.004

27. Hoffmann I. 2013. Adaptation to climate change–exploring the potential of locally adapted breeds. Animal 7 (s2): 346-362. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731113000815

28. Jiang Z Y, Hunt J V and Wolff S P. 1992. Ferrous ion oxidation in the presence of xylenol orange for detection of lipid hydroperoxides in low density lipoprotein. Analytical Biochemistry 202(2): 384–389. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-2697(92)90122-N

29. Lakhani P, Alhussien M N, Lakhani N, Jindal R and Nayyar S. 2018. Seasonal variation in physiological responses and metabolic-related hormones and oxidative status of Murrah buffaloes. Biological Rhythm Research 49(6): 844–852. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09291016.2018.1424775

30. Li M, Hassan F U, Guo Y, Tang Z, Liang X, Xie F, Peng L and Yang C. 2020. Seasonal dynamics of physiological, oxidative and metabolic responses in non-lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes under hot and humid climate. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7: 622. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.00622

31. Lowry O H, Rosebrough N J, Farr A L and Randall R J. 1951. Protein measurement with the Folin phenol reagent. Journal of Biological Chemistry 193(1): 265–275. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9258(19)52451-6

32. Mayengbam P, Tolenkhomba T C and Upadhyay R C. 2016. Expression of heat shock protein 72 mRNA in relation to heart rate variability of Sahiwal and Karan-Fries cattle in different temperature-humidity indices. Veterinary World 9(10): 1051–1055. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2016.1051-1055

33. Michaylova V and Ilkova P. 1971. Photometric determination of micro amounts of calcium with arsenazo III. Analytica Chimica Acta 53(1): 194–198. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-2670(01)80088-X

34. Misra H P and Fridovich I. 1972. The role of superoxide anion in the autoxidation of epinephrine and a simple assay for superoxide dismutase. Journal of Biological Chemistry 247(10): 3170–3175. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0021-9258(19)45228-9

35. Nardone A, Ronchi B, Lacetera N, Ranieri M S and Bernabucci U. 2010. Effects of climate changes on animal production and sustainability of livestock systems. Livestock Science 130(1– 3): 57–69. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2010.02.011

36. NBAGR. 2021. Registered Cattle Breeds of India. ICAR– National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal, India. Available at: https://nbagr.icar.gov.in/en/registered-cattle.

37. Niehaus Jr W G and Samuelsson B. 1968. Formation of malonaldehyde from phospholipid arachidonate during microsomal lipid peroxidation. European Journal of Biochemistry 6(1): 126–130. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1432-1033.1968.tb00428.x

38. Nikhil Kumar Tej J, Girish Varma G, Abhina M, Adarsh N, Karthiayini K and Gleeja V L. 2018. Impact of season on haematological and biochemical parameters of crossbred female calves in hot and humid tropics. Biological Rhythm Research 49(2): 267–275. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09291016.2017.1354486

39. Oksala N K, Ekmekci F, Ozsoy E, Kirankaya S, Kokkola T, Emecen G, Lappalainen J, Kaarniranta K and Atalay M. 2014. Natural thermal adaptation increases Heat shock protein levels and decreases oxidative stress. Redox Biology 3: 25–28. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2014.10.003

40. Osei-Amponsah R, Chauhan S S, Leury B J, Cheng L, Cullen B, Clarke I J and Dunshea F R. 2019. Genetic selection for thermotolerance in ruminants. Animals 9(11): 948. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9110948

41. Patbandha T K, Sabapara G P, Savaliya B D, Dash S K, Parikh S S and Ali M. 2020. Physical characteristics and production performance of Gir cattle in India. International Journal of Livestock Research 10(8): 1–11. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5455/ijlr.20200608100242

42. Peake M and Whiting M. 2006. Measurement of serum creatinine: current status and future goals. Clinical Biochemist Reviews 27(4): 173.

43. Prathap P, Sejian V, Soren N M, Bagath M, Krishnan G, Beena V, Devi P I and Bhatta R. 2017. Summer-induced metabolic rhythmic alterations in metabolic activities to adapt to heat stress in three indigenous (Osmanabadi, Malabari and Salem Black) goat breeds. Biological Rhythm Research 49(4): 551–565. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09291016.2017.1386891

44. Prieto P, Pineda M and Aguilar M. 1999. Spectrophotometric quantitation of antioxidant capacity through the formation of a phosphomolybdenum complex: specific application to the determination of vitamin E. Analytical Biochemistry 269(2): 337–341. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1006/abio.1999.4019

45. Rakib M R H, Messina V, Gargiulo J I, Lyons N A, Pathirana I N, Thomson P C and Garcia S C. 2026. Detecting heat shock protein 70 in milk, blood, and saliva of dairy cows exposed to different seasonal conditions. Journal of Dairy Science. 109(4): 4647–4658. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2025-27609

46. Rhoads M L, Rhoads R P, VanBaale M J, Collier R J, Sanders S R, Weber W J, Crooker B A and Baumgard L H. 2009. Effects of heat stress and plane of nutrition on lactating Holstein cows: I. Production, metabolism, and aspects of circulating somatotropin. Journal of Dairy Science 92(5): 1986–1997. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2008-1641

47. Rotruck J T, Pope A L, Ganther H E, Swanson A B, Hafeman D G and Hoekstra W. 1973. Selenium: biochemical role as a component of glutathione peroxidase. Science 179(4073): 588–590. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.179.4073.588

48. Rout P K, Kaushik R and Ramachandran N. 2016. Differential expression pattern of Heat shock protein 70 gene in tissues and heat stress phenotypes in goats during peak heat stress period. Cell Stress and Chaperones 21 (4): 645–651. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12192-016-0689-1

49. Sammad A, Wang Y J, Umer S, Lirong H, Khan I, Khan A, Ahmad B and Wang Y. 2020. Nutritional physiology and biochemistry of dairy cattle under the influence of heat stress: Consequences and opportunities. Animals 10 (5): 793. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10050793

50. Schumann G, Bonora R, Ceriotti F, Ferard G, Ferrero C A, Franck P F H and Siekmann L. 2002b. IFCC primary reference procedures for the measurement of catalytic activity concentrations of enzymes at 37°C. Part 4. Reference procedure for the measurement of catalytic concentration of alanine aminotransferase. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine 40: 718–724. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/CCLM.2002.124

51. Schumann G, Bonora R, Ceriotti F, Ferard G, Ferrero C A, Franck P F H and Siekmann L. 2002a. IFCC primary reference procedures for the measurement of catalytic activity concentrations of enzymes at 37°C. Part 5. Reference procedure for the measurement of catalytic concentration of aspartate aminotransferase. Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine 40: 725–733. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/CCLM.2002.125

52. Shah O S, Amin U, Baba A R, Hussain T, Dar Z A, Nabi S U and Malik H U. 2017. Seasonal mineral changes in crossbred cattle. Journal of Entomology and Zoology Studies 5 (6): 1818–1821.

53. Sharma V K, Sunil A, Bhardwaj S K and Kishan P. 2018. Effect of heat stress on serum electrolytes of Sirohi goats. The Veterinary Practitioner 19(2): 188–190.

54. Sihag A, Singhal S S and Kataria N. 2021. Modulations in plasma antioxidants and free radical scavenging enzymes of buffalo calves from arid tracts during hot ambience. Journal of Animal Research 9: 711–714.

55. Snedecor G W and Cochran W G. 1994. Statistical Methods. 8th edn. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co., New Delhi.

56. SPSS. 2013. SPSS for windows, Release 22.0, Standard Version. SPSS Inc. Chicago, Illinois, USA.

57. Time and Date. 2024. Weather data. www.timeanddate.com/weather.

58. Trinder P. 1969. Determination of glucose using glucose oxidase with an alternative oxygen acceptor. Annals of Clinical Biochemistry 6(1): 24–27. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/000456326900600108

59. Vaidya M, Wankar A, Kuralkar P, Amrutkar S, Panchbhai G, Wade M, Deshpande K, Kekan P, Ukey A and Singh S V. 2026. Adaptations of Cattle to Thermal and Transitional Stress-exploration of the Potent Physio-metabolic Markers: A Review. International Journal of Bio-Resource and Stress Management 17(3): 1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23910/1.2026.6884

60. Vasantha S K I, Prasad C S, Naik B R, Kumar K A, Seshaiah C V and Tej J N K. 2021. Effect of season on milk production in Murrah buffaloes: THI a proven marker. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences 10 (4): 252–256. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2021.1004.025

61. Yeotikar P V, Nayyar S, Singh C, Mukhopadhyay C S, Kakkar S S and Jindal R. 2019. Seasonal variation in oxidative stress markers of Murrah buffaloes. Indian Journal of Animal Research 53(10): 1310–1315. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18805/ijar.B-3643