A preliminary attempt towards modulation of stress due to obstetrical interventions in buffaloes

Dystocia affected buffaloes (24) were utilized to evaluate the modulation o f stress response of dystocia and obstetrical intervention in buffaloes whe rein fetotomy (n=8) and caesarean section (n=16) were performed under epidu ral/local infiltration anaesthesia alone or with chlorpromazine tranquiliza tion. The blood samples were collected through jugular catheter before, dur ing, and at end of each obstetrical manoeuvre and on 3 post-manoeuvring day s to estimate plasma cortisol levels. Calving control buffaloes (5) were al so bled daily from day of calving till day 3 postpartum. Cortisol levels we re significantly (P<0.01) higher at presentation in dystocia-affected buffa loes which declined significantly on subsequent post-treatment days but rem ained higher than the corresponding controls. Administration of chlorpromaz ine hydrochloride did not suppress cortisol release during obstetrical inte rventions despite attaining clinical tranquilization in buffaloes.