Original Articles Vol. 3 No. 3 (2026): Bioscience Insights Published 2026-10-22

IMPACT OF SUPPLEMENTAL SODIUM BICARBONATE AND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE IN LOCAL TOTAL MIXED RATIONS (TMR) ON MILK YIELD AND PHYSIOLOGICAL HEAT STRESS INDICES IN NILI-RAVI BUFFALOES DURING PEAK SUMMER MONTHS

Authors

  • Sadaf Khalid Department of Biochemistry, Superior University Lahore Pakistan Author
  • Muhammad Akif Department of Zoology, Ghazi University Dera Ghazi Khan Pakistan Author
  • Noor Fatima Department of Applied Biology Concordia College Sahiwal affiliated with Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan Pakistan Author
  • Ehsaan Ullah Khan Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Production and Technology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, 54000, Lahore, Pakistan Pakistan Author
  • Muhammad Saad Ullah Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore Pakistan Author
  • Muhammad Waleed Iftikhar Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore Pakistan Author
  • Amna Baig Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore Pakistan Author
  • Muhammad Amjad Ali Department of Clinical Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Sciences Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan Pakistan Pakistan Author
  • Mir Sher Jan Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore Pakistan Author
  • Adil Shahzad Institute of Microbiology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan/ Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Government of Punjab, Pakistan Pakistan Author
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Abstract

Background: Peak summer environmental heat stress severely depresses the productivity and physiological status of dairy buffaloes in South Asia, causing substantial economic losses to smallholder and commercial dairy operations.

Objective: This study evaluated the efficacy of supplementing local Total Mixed Rations (TMR) with sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) and potassium chloride (KCl) on milk yield, physiological heat stress indices, and milk fat composition in Nili-Ravi buffaloes.

Methods: One hundred (N = 100) multiparous Nili-Ravi buffaloes (Parity 2–4, Days in Milk 60–180) were divided into two equal groups (n = 50): a Control group fed standard local TMR and a Treatment group receiving TMR supplemented with 1.5% NaHCO₃ and 0.8% KCl of total dry matter intake. The trial was conducted over 60 days during peak summer (June–August) under average ambient Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) conditions exceeding 83.5 ± 2.2.

Results: Electrolyte supplementation significantly (p < 0.05) increased final daily milk yield (13.72 ± 1.34 L/day vs. 11.87 ± 1.45 L/day in control; +15.58%), stabilized respiration rates (60.8 ± 5.4 bpm vs. 70.1 ± 6.2 bpm; −13.26%), and prevented milk fat depression (7.24 ± 0.38% vs. 6.65 ± 0.34%; +8.87%).

Conclusion: Dietary buffer supplementation is an economical, practical, and highly effective intervention to mitigate summer heat stress in smallholder and commercial Nili-Ravi buffalo herds.

Keywords

  • Precision nutrition, functional foods, artificial intelligence, nanoencapsulation, nutrigenomics, microbiome modulation, food technology.

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