Effect of melatonin supplementation on skin surface temperature in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves under summer stress

Abstract

Present study was designed to assess the effect of Melatonin on skin surface temperature (SST) in buffalo calves under summer stress. Twelve healthy Murrah buffalo male calves of 6 month to 1 year age group were taken and divided into control (CG) and treatment (TG) group (n=6). In TG, Melatonin was injected @ 18mg/50 kg BW subcutaneously, twice at 1st and 20th day of experiment. The SST of definite sites was recorded twice daily using infra-red digital thermometer. Result of study showed that there was no significant (P>0.05) difference observed in SST of head, neck, foreleg, hindleg, thigh, flank, back and inner canthus of eye of buffalo calves between the control and treatment group. After noon values were significantly higher (P