Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the heat-stress ameliorating effect of melatonin. A total of 18 animals (5-6 months old) of each healthy Beetal and Assam Hill Goat (AHG) was divided into three groups containing 6 animals in each. One group was kept indoor (T-1), while other two groups (T-2 and T-3) of each breed were exposed to direct sunshine @6 hours/day for 30 days. Melatonin was fed @6 mg/animal to one of the two exposed groups (T-3). Blood samples were collected at weekly interval before and after exposure. Blood Na+ and K+ decreased significantly (P

Key words: Assam Hill Goat, Beetal, Biochemicals, Electrolytes, Direct Sunshine, Melatonin, SOD