Vol. 6, Issue 9 (2017)

Author(s):
Tushar Jyotiranjan, Swagat Mohapatra, Chinmoy Mishra, Nirupama Dalai and Akshya Kumar Kundu

Abstract:
Livestock undergo various kinds of stress such as physical, nutritional, chemical, psychological and thermal stress. Among them thermal stress is most concerning now a days in the ever changing climatic scenario. High ambient temperatures, high direct and indirect solar radiations, and humidity are environmental stressing factors, according to the climatic changes. Thermal stress redistributes the body resources including protein and energy at the cost of decreased growth, reproduction, production and health. Goats (Capra hircus) are relatively resistant to harsh environmental conditions. Thermal stress stimulates sort of complex responses which are fundamentals in the preservation of cell survival. Physiological responses to thermal stress are change in rectal temperature, respiration rate, heart rate and skin temperature. Heat tolerance in goat is controlled by heat tolerance genes such as HSP32, HSP40, HSP60, HSP70, HSP90, HSP90AB1, HSP110, CRP, VEGF, cNOS, iNOS etc. At molecular level changes in gene expression of proteins ensure protections. Altogether these physiological, biochemical and molecular responses make the goats to survive in harsh environment.