Low milk yield and impairment of reproduction and production performances of dairy buffaloes is still a major
problem in tropical areas as a result of high environmental temperature. The objective of this study was to determine
the effect of water spray on milk production, haematological and biochemical parameters of Egyptian buffaloes
(Bubalus bubalis) during the summer season. Twenty Egyptian buffaloes were divided into two groups of ten animals
each on the basis of body weight and lactation stage. The first group was housed in a stable without water spray (control
group), while the second group was housed in a stable where a system of water tubes was provided at 1.5 meters over
the animals, ended with nozzles (2 meter apart from each other) to allow spraying water over the animal body surface for
15 minutes per hour from 14:00 to 9:00 hour daily for 4 months during the summer (cooled group). Our results revealed
that the rectal, udder, and milk vein temperatures were significantly (P < 0.001) reduced as a result of water spray
treatment. Daily milk yield in buffalo cows significantly (P < 0.001) increased as a result of the water spray. Milk fat, lactose,
and total solids were significantly increased, while milk protein was not affected. Buffaloes' blood metabolites were
also affected by water spray. The results of this study suggest that providing the Egyptian buffaloes with water spray for
cooling their bodies reduced the adverse effect of heat stress during the period of highest temperature humidity index, and
increased the milk yield. |
