Adaptive significance of red cell potassium types in buffaloes

Abstract

SUMMARYThe possible adaptive significance of the occurrence of HK and LK red-cell types in Murrah buffaloes was investigated. Judged by haematological indices and thermorespiratory responses under conditions of moderate thermal stress, LK animals appeared to have a greater adaptive potential than HK animals in a hot arid environment. Dry matter percentage, packed cell volume (pcv), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), red blood corpuscles (RBC) and plasma protein values were significantly higher in LK-type animals. In addition, under identical conditions of thermal stress the LK animals exhibited significantly less rise in rectal temperature and respiratory rate than the HK animals.