Environmental Parameters
Average environmental temperature (0C), relative humidity % and THI recorded during the study period were ranged from 12.91±0.26, 78.66±1.28, 55.60±0.43 during the winter season to 37.10±0.68, 29.83± 1.39, 83.08±0.35 during the summer season, respectively. A climatic environment with an air temperature in the range of 13– 27°C, relative humidity of 60–70%, and a THI of less than 65% is considered a comfort zone (Misra and Puneet,2009). During summer and winter, animals were found exposed to an ambient temperature or humidity beyond their comfort zone, which indicates that they were experiencing stress in both seasons while pronounced thermal stress exhibited by animals during the summer season.
Effect of M.pruriens supplementation on physiological Parameters-
Data of physiological parameters recorded in control and M.pruriens supplemented does have been graphically represented in Fig. 1. The overall effect of M. pruriens on rectal temperature during both seasons in goats was found to be non-significant. M. pruriens supplementation significantly increased respiration rate (breaths/min) in winter season (Mean± SE; Covariate 35.75± 0.46; treatment 38.26± 0.58 vs control 36.23±0.58),F(1,13)= 5.90,P<0.05 after controlling day 0 values. The effect was non-significant during the summer season. M. pruriens supplementation significantly decreased heart rate (beats/min) during summer season (Mean± SE, Covariate 79.56±0.63;treatment 79.92±0.84 vs control 80.78±0.84), F(1,13)= 7.21, P<0.05, while the effect was non-significant during the winter season.
Effect of M.pruriens supplementation on hematological parameters-
Data of hematological parameters have been graphically represented in Fig. 2. PCV % (Mean± SE; covariate 31.29 ± 0.48, treatment 32.18 ± 0.37 vs control 31.18 ± 0.42),F(1,13)= 18.14,P<0.01; Hb concentration (Mean± SE; covariate 9.79 ± 0.04,treatment 9.97 ± 0.05vs control 9.77± 0.05 g/dl),F(1,13)=7.02,P<0.05; TEC count(x 106 Cells/µl) (Mean± SE; covariate 9.35 ±0.22,treatment 9.63 ± 0.06 vs control 9.43 ± 0.06 ),F(1,13)= 5.11,P<0.05 were significantly increased during winter season while TLC count (x 103 Cells/µl) (Mean± SE; covariate 10.60±0.13,treatment 11.14±0.09 vs control 10.42±0.09),F(1,29)=22.72,P<0.01; lymphocyte count(%) (Mean± SE, covariate 54.43±0.47, treatment 56.81±0.46 vs control 55.01±0.46), F(1,29)= 11.81,P<0.01 were significantly higher in both winter and summer season in goats. Neutrophil & eosinophil count were found non-significant compared to control group.
Effect of M.pruriens supplementation on serum biochemical parameters-
Values of serum biochemical parameters have been graphically represented in Fig. 3. Total protein(Mean± SE; covariate 6.29 ±0.04, treatment 6.42 ±0.04 vs control 6.27 ±0.04 g/dl), F(1,29) = 12.61,P<0.01 and albumin (Mean± SE; covariate 2.60±0.04, treatment 2.67±0.02 vs control 2.62±0.02 g/dl),F(1,29) = 8.69,P<0.01 levels were significantly increased in both the seasons. Significantly high value of globulin (Mean± SE; covariate 3.65±0.06, treatment 3.71 ± 0.04 vs control 3.58 ± 0.04 g/dl), F(1,13)= 6.02,P<0.05 & triglycerides (Mean± SE; covariate 23.63±0.79, treatment 25.67 ± 0.72 vs control 23.29 ± 0.72 mg/dl),F(1,13)= 5.38,P<0.05 was found in does during summer season. Effect of lowering of creatinine (Mean± SE; covariate 0.84±0.01, treatment 0.79±0.01 vs control 0.88±0.01 mg/dl),F(1,29) = 12.81,P<0.01 & BUN (Mean± SE; covariate 20.76±0.27, treatment 19.42±0.18 vs control 20.64±0.18 mg/dl),F(1,29)= 21.71,P<0.01 level was significant in M. pruriens supplemented does in both season. Significant hypochoesteremic effect was observe in M. pruriens supplemented does (Mean± SE; covariate 87.03 ±0.69, treatment 83.14 ±0.53 vs control 85.61 ±0.53),F(1,29)= 6.43,P<0.05. ALT, AST levels difference were non-significant. Significant increase in overall ALP level (Mean± SE; covariate 31.29 ± 0.48, treatment 32.18 ± 0.37vs control 31.18 ± 0.42 U/L),F(1,29)= 7.30 ,P<0.05 was observed in M. pruriens supplemented does.
Effect of M.pruriens supplementation on oxidative stress and antioxidant parameters-
Values of oxidative stress and antioxidant assay parameters have been graphically represented in Fig. 4. Lipid peroxidation (MDA) level (Mean± SE; covariate 180.67±2.11, treatment 169.59±1.88 vs control 180.52±1.88 nmol/g of Hb),F(1,29)= 16.69,P<0.01 were significantly decreased, while GSH (Mean± SE; covariate 3.47±0.08,treatment 3.92±0.07 vs control 3.45±0.07 µmol/g of Hb),F(1,29)= 20.77, P<0.01 & TAC level (FRAP value)(Mean± SE; covariate 7.09±0.11, treatment 7.45±0.12vs control 7.21±0.12 µmol/ml), F(1,29)= 12.03,P<0.01 were significantly increased during both seasons in M. pruriens supplemented does compare to control group while no significant effect on SOD level was found.
Effect of M.pruriens supplementation on plasma total Immunoglobulin-
Values of plasma immunoglobulin levels have been graphically represented in Fig. 5. Significant increase in plasma total immunoglobulin level (Mean± SE; covariate 17.95±0.47, treatment 19.00±0.30vs control 18.36±0.30mg/ml),F(1,13)= 7.09, P<0.05 were found in M. pruriens supplemented group during the summer season.
Effect of M.pruriens supplementation on thyroid hormones Profile-
Thyroid hormone estimation by ELISA were done on day 0 and day 30 plasma samples. Values of T3 and T4 hormones have been graphically represented in Fig. 5. Data for thyroid profile was analyzed by univariate ANCOVA using day 30 as a dependent variable, group as a fixed factor, and day 0 as a covariate. The decrease in plasma T3 level was non-significant, while plasma Thyroxin (T4) level was significantly decreased in M. pruriens supplemented group. Effect was highly significant during summer season (Mean± SE; covariate 60.53 ±0.23,treatment 59.21 ±0.34 vs control 60.56 ±0.34 ng/ml), F(1,15)= 13.77,P<0.01 & in winter F(1,15)= 5.13,P<0.05.
Effect of M.pruriens supplementation on plasma progesterone levels-
Plasma progesterone were estimated during day 0,10 and 20th day of estrous cycle appearing after 15 days of feeding and data was analyzed by repeated measure ANOVA. Values of plasma progesterone levels have been graphically represented in Fig. 5. Significantly higher overall (Mean± SE, treatment 2.138±0.03 vs control 2.026±0.029 ng/ml),F (1,30)= 6.39, P<0.05 overall plasma progesterone level was found in the M pruriens supplemented group compared to the control group. The effect was highly significant during winter season (Mean± SE, treatment 2.214 ± 0.016 vs control 2.091±0.027 ng/ml),F(1,14)= 15.40, P<0.01 but the effect was found non-significant in does during summer season. Reproductive parameters conception rate, fertility rate, prolificacy, and fecundity did not differ significantly between group. No undesirable effect was observed over reproductive performance.