Resilience of Malpura ewes on water restriction and rehydration during summer under semi-arid tropical climatic conditions

• Water scarcity is a critical problem in semi-arid.
• Water stress affects the blood biochemical and hormonal profile.
• Adapted breed can thrive in water stress.
• Adapted breed might recoup normal physiological conditions with ad libitum water supply.

Fourteen adult Malpura ewes of 2–4 years of age were randomly and equally divided into two groups, including G1 and G2 in order to determine the resilience of Malpura ewes on water restriction and rehydration during summer under semi-arid tropical climatic conditions. The experimental period was divided into three parts, i.e., ad libitum water intake period for one week (first week) then a four week water restricted period and last week rehydration period. During the water restricted period animals in G1 were restricted to 20% and in G2 to 40% of their water requirement. Feed intake increased significantly (P < 0.05) in both groups during the rehydration period as compared to restricted periods. Rectal temperature at morning decreased significantly (P < 0.05) during the rehydration period in both groups. Hemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) were higher in G2 during the water restricted period. Cortisol level was significantly (P < 0.05) higher during the restricted period as compared to the rehydration period. The results reveal that restriction of water consumption up to 40% during summer leads to physiological and plasma biochemical changes in Malpura ewes. But they can overcome these stressful conditions and recoup their normal physiological conditions by the ad libitum supply of water.