Effects of oral herbal powder supplements on the adaptive capabilities of heat stressed Kenguri sheep based on changes in physiological and molecular response

Abstract

A study was designed to establish the effect of heat stress on the adaptive capability of Kenguri sheep and to test the efficacy of herbal powder supplement for relieving heat stress in this breed. The study was carried out for a period of sixty days in twenty-four one-year-old Kenguri ewes which were randomly distributed into 4 different groups with six animals each as follows; KC (n = 6; Kenguri Control), KHS (n = 6; Kenguri Heat Stress), KCS (n = 6; Kenguri Control herbal Supplement) and KHSS (n = 6; Kenguri Heat Stress herbal Supplement). The results on temperature-humidity index (THI) indicated that comfort condition was provided for KC and KCS while severe heat stress condition was exp..