author(s)
Sathisha KB, Narayana Swamy M, Kalmath GP, Shrikant Kukarni, Ramesh PT, Sathyanarayana ML and Sudha G

abstract
Present study was conducted to assess the ameliorative effect of dietary antioxidant during summer stress in Mandya sheep, which can be reflected in serum metabolic hormonal and electrolyte levels. 24 adult ewes were selected and divided in to four groups (Group-I: control, Group-II: vitamin C + vitamin E, Group-III: selenium + zinc and Group-IV: vitamin C + zinc). Blood samples were collected after 21 days of supplementation. Serum triidodoxythyronine (T₃), thyroxine (T₄), cortisol and insulin level was estimated by indirect ELISA and serum electrolyte by semi-automated biochemical analyzer. Significant (P<0.05) increase in the T₃, T₄ and insulin and reduced cortisol was noticed in supplemented groups as compared to control. Significantly (P<0.05) increased levels of electrolyte were noticed in supplemented groups. No significant differences were noticed between different supplemented groups. So, it can be concluded that supplementation of antioxidant can be used effectively to reduce the heat stress and maximize the reproductive performance.