Effect of stress during different durations of dystocia on. various blood indices in buffaloes

Abstract

Thirty three dystocia affected buffaloes were divided into four groups with labour pains less than 12 hours (group A; n =
07), 12-24 hours (group B; n = 12), 24-36 hours (group C; n = 06) and more than 36 hours (group D; n = 08) to assess the degree of
sress with relation to different duration of dystocia. Plasma cortisol concentrations (3 .24-30.77 μg/dl) increased with duration of
onset of labour pains. Histamine concentration, total leukocytic count and neutrophils increased significantly (P < 0.01) from initial
values of 460.08 μmol/1, 6.74x 103/cumm and 55.14 per cent, respectively, in group A to 602.14 μrnol/1, 9.90 x 10' cumm and 59.87
per cent, respectively, in group D. Lymphocytes (36.62%) were non-significantly lower in group D as compared to other groups. It
is thus, concluded that increased concentrations of cortisol and histamine with alterations in otal leukocytic, neutrophilic and
lymphocytic counts. indicated higher degree of stress in protracted cases of dystocia.