Adaptive changes of physiological functions and their seasonal variations in goats of coastal areas of Sundarban

ABSTRACTThe adaptive physiological functions of black Bengal goats (Capra hircus) of coastal regions were compared with goats from the plains during winter, spring, and summer seasons. Goats in the coastal zone had significantly (P < 0.01) higher plasma electrolytes levels. Goats in the plains zone had significantly (P < 0.01) higher haemoglobin, PCV, TEC, and erythrocyte indices and lower TLC values. Glucose, total protein, and creatinine were significantly (P < 0.01) lower, whereas cholesterol, BUN, and SGPT were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in goats of coastal zone. Regardless of zones, glucose, total protein, and creatinine levels were higher in winter, cholesterol and SGOT levels were higher in spring, and BUN was higher in summer. Goats from coastal areas had significantly (P < 0.05) higher urinary pH and urea levels. Goats in the coastal zone had significantly (P < 0.05) higher cortisol concentrations. From the above study, we can conclude that salinity of feed, soil and water does not significantly affect the homeostasis of black Bengal goats reared in coastal areas, indicating their adaptability to saline coastal environments and their potential for reproduction in a climate-resilient livestock system.HIGHLIGHTS The fodder, water and soil of coastal areas contain higher amounts of sodium, zinc, and iron in the compared to plain areas.Black Bengal goats raised in coastal regions are able to maintain their homeostasis without much altering hemato-biochemical and endocrine profiles.Black Bengal goats can be a good option for climate resilient animal husbandry system.KEYWORDS: Salinityblack Bengal goatsadaptationphysio-biochemicalendocrine AcknowledgmentsThe authors are thankful to the Vice-Chancellor, WBUAFS along with the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP, ICAR) on goats and ICAR-IVRI, ERS for providing necessary supports for this study.