Journal of Stress Physiology & Biochemistry, Vol. 7 No. 1
2011, pp. 45-54 ISSN 1997-0838
Original Text Copyright (cc) 2011 by Sunil Kumar, Kumar, Meena
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QueryDate : 2016-12-24
Cites : 44
EFFECT OF HEAT STRESS IN TROPICAL LIVESTOCK AND
DIFFERENT STRATEGIES FOR ITS AMELIORATION
Sunil Kumar* B.V., Kumar Ajeet and Kataria Meena
Division of Animal Biochemistry,
Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, 243122 (U.P), India
Tel. +91-9411918984 *Email- drbvskumar@rediffmail.com
Received January 22, 2010
Stress is a broad term, generally used in negative
connotation and is described as the cumulative detrimental effect of a
variety of factors on the health and performance of animals. Heat
stress occurs in animals when there is an imbalance between heat
production within the body and its dissipation. Heat stress is one of
the wide varieties of factors which causes oxidative stress in-vivo.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS), the major culprits for causing oxidative
stress, are constantly generated in vivo as an integral part of
metabolism. ROS may cause oxidative stress when their level exceeds the
threshold value. They trigger progressive destruction of
polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), ultimately leading to membrane
destruction. Body employs antioxidants to quench these free radicals.
The enzymatic antioxidants like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase
(CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) act by scavenging both
intracellular and extracellular superoxide radical and preventing lipid
peroxidation of plasma membrane. Non-enzymatic antioxidants include
vitamins like vitamins C, A and E, proteins like albumin, transferrin,
glutathione (GSH) etc. Antioxidant nutrient supplementation especially
vitamins C, A and E, zinc and chromium can be used to attenuate the
negative effects of environmental stress.
