Large Scale Analysis Of Tick Infestation And Physiological Responses In Native And Cross Bred Cattle Populations Reared In Central Plains Of Uttar Pradesh, India

Tick and tick-borne diseases cause major economic losses to world’s dairy sector. India, being tropical country also faces tremendous challenges from wide arrays of ticks that infest all kind of dairy animals. As we understand that any kind of stresses can disturb the physiological parameters of dairy animals that can impact the animal productivity and over-all performance. In this study therefore, an effort was made to evaluate the physiological responses of tick infested and non-infested native (Sahiwal) and cross bred cattle populations in the central plains area of Uttar Pradesh, India. A total of 3570 animals of indigenous and crossbred cattle from organized and unorganized cattle farm located in and around Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh area was surveyed across seasons (winter, hot summer and hot humid) to assess the prevalence of tick infestation and their effect on physiological responses. The present study revealed that the crossbred cattle were most susceptible to tick infestations. The prevalence of tick infestation was significantly (P<0.05) higher in humid season in both indigenous (Sahiwal) and crossbred cattle. The tick infestation rate (%) in Sahiwal cows were 5.2 and 7.52 in hot summer and humid seasons, respectively. However, in crossbred cattle, the tick infestation rate was 59 (±0.25) and 69.24 (±1.60) in hot summer and humid season, respectively. In the cattle maintained at unorganized farm, the prevalence rate (%) of tick infestation in non-descript cattle was found to be 39.27±1.57, 45.08±1.12 and 27.47±2.01, during hot summer, humid and winter season, respectively. Whereas in the crossbred cattle from unorganized cattle farms, tick infestation rate was 58.93±1.07, 69.05±4.09 and 47.78±6.71 during hot summer, humid and winter season, respectively. The physiological responses in tick-infested cattle were found to be significantly (P<0.05) different in the present study. In tick non-infested Sahiwal cattle, the RT decreased significantly (P<0.05) in winter season. Likewise, PR of tick-infested and non-infested cattle significantly (P<0.05) decreased in winter season. While the RR significantly increased in tick-infested cross bred cattle in humid season, followed by a significant (P<0.05) decrease in winter season. Furthermore, the respiration rate was significantly higher in tick-infested cross breed and nondescriptive cattle. In conclusion, the prevalence of tick infestation was higher in the crossbred cows, followed by non-descript cattle and indigenous Sahiwal cattle.