The present study was carried out to evaluate the physiological responses of Osmanabadi goats to heat stress. The total 18 experimental goats were selected from Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Maharashtra Mendhi va Sheli Vikas, Prakshetra, Dahiwadi Taq: Man Dist. Satara and divided into three groups viz Gr. A which was not exposed to direct sunlight (control), Gr.B, which was exposed for 4 hrs. and Gr. C, which was exposed for 8 hrs. to direct sunlight during grazing. The animals were exposed to heat for 30 days during summer. Before the start of the experiment, these animals were exposed to heat for 07 days to acclimatize. The samples were collected on Day 0, Day 15, and Day 30 of the experiment to observe the effect of different duration of heat exposure on all physiological parameters. The temperature humidity Index (THI) values during the experimental period were found to be (79.54±0.45). The result of the statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference Group wise in the Rectal temperature. However, the Respiration Rate, Pulse Rate and Heart Rate in Group wise comparison showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) with increasing trend. In Day wise comparison of Respiratory Rate there was on significant differences at different days in control. However, there was a significance difference (P < 0.05) in group 4 and 8 hours of direct sunlight exposure at different days with increasing trend. Pulse Rate Day wise comparison showed no significant difference at different days in 4 hours of direct sunlight exposure while there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) at different days in 8 hours exposure showing higher values at Day 15 & Day 30 as compared to at Day 0. However, the Heart Rate Day wise comparison showed no significant difference at different days in control, while there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) at different days in 4 and 8 hours exposure with higher values at Day 15 & Day 30 as compared to at Day 0.
Gavali et al. (Mon,) studied this question.