Effect of Different Housing Systems on Triidothyronine (T-3) and Thyroxine (T-4) in Chhotanagpuri Ewes

The present study was conducted on 24 non-pregnant parous chhotanagpuri ewes to see the effect of different housing system on the level of Triidothyronine (T-3) and Thyroxine (T-4) hormones. Animals were randomly allocated to three groups, one control and two treatment. Animals in Group I were kept in hot humid condition where as Group II was maintained in cold condition providing gunny bags and fine sand on the floor. Control animals (Group III) were kept in loose housing system fodder and water were provided ad. libitum. to all the three groups of animals. Level of T3 and T4 hormones were estimated during different stages of gestation. Result of present study revealed that the level of plasma Triidothyronine (T-3) varied significantly within the groups in all the groups while it differed significantly (P< 0.05) only at day 135 of gestation between groups however, it increased significantly on expected day of parturition in all the three groups. The plasma Thyroxine (T-4) level varied significantly (P< 0.05) within and between groups at all the stages of gestation. The plasma Thyroxine (T-4) level decreased significantly from day 0 to day 45 and then started increasing up to day 135 of gestation in all the groups. Further the, plasma Thyroxine (T-4) level decreased significantly (P<0.05) on expected day of parturition and again increased two days after parturition in all the groups but it was non-significant. Different housing systems did not had any effect on T-3 and T-4 hormone levels, except at day 135 of gestation.