The effects of high temperature and wallow on physiological responses of swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) during winter season in Thailand

The objective was to measure the effects of wallowing on the performance and physiology of 12 female buffaloes with similar live weight of 250 kg. The study took place at Chainat Agriculture and Technology College, Chainat Province, Thailand. The animals were divided randomly into two groups, each group comprising of 6 buffaloes. The two groups were used to evaluate the effects of wallowing on the animals' thermal status under hot humid conditions. Results (no wallow vs. wallow) indicated that wallowing was sufficient to result in the buffaloes having a significantly lower mean rectal temperature (39.86±0.85 vs. 39.21±0.62 °C; P<0.01), water intake (28.02±4.96 vs. 27.47±4.94 l/hd/d; P<0.05), Free triiodothyronine (4.12±1.17 vs. 3.4±0.74 ng/ml; P<0.05) and cortisol (3.55±1.53 vs. 2.33±1.39 ng/ml; P<0.05 ). It was concluded that wallowing enabled the buffaloes to cool themselves down by cutaneous evaporation. The use of wallowing proved to be an effective method of alleviating thermal stress in buffaloes and is recommended for use during dry winter periods in monsoonal areas.

► Objective was to measure the effect of wallowing on buffaloes' physiology.
► Results showed that wallowing can lower rectal temperature, T3 and cortisol.
► Use of wallowing is an effective way of alleviating heat stress in buffaloes.