Seasonal Adaptability of Black Bengal Goats: A Four-season Study of Serum Biochemical, Mineral, Hormonal and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers

Background: Climate change increasingly threatens global ecosystems, with livestock in developing countries like India being particularly vulnerable. Variations in temperature and humidity throughout the seasons significantly affect animal health, adaptability and productivity. Black Bengal goats, an important genetic resource in Bihar, are noted for their resilience and economic value. Understanding their physiological and biochemical responses to seasonal stress is crucial for creating effective management strategies. Methods: This study investigated the seasonal adaptability of Black Bengal goats by evaluating various physiological and biochemical parameters across four distinct seasons: summer, monsoon, post-monsoon and winter. Twenty healthy female goats were chosen and blood samples were collected in each season. The temperature-humidity index (THI) was calculated to assess heat stress conditions. Key biomarkers analyzed included biochemical (blood urea nitrogen, albumin, globulin, glucose), hormonal (cortisol, TSH, T3, T4), mineral and oxidative stress markers (glutathione, malondialdehyde [MDA], catalase, total antioxidant capacity [TAC] and superoxide dismutase [SOD]). Result: The THI values showed severe heat stress during the summer and monsoon seasons (THI greater than 85), moderate stress in the post-monsoon period (THI 78) and comfortable conditions in winter (THI 63). Significant seasonal variations were observed in biochemical parameters, with the most notable changes occurring in summer. Cortisol levels were higher during summer and monsoon, indicating heat-induced stress, while thyroid hormones (TSH, T3 and T4) were elevated in winter and post-monsoon, suggesting thermoregulatory adaptations. Oxidative stress markers also varied significantly, with increased oxidative damage and antioxidant enzyme activity during hotter seasons. These findings emphasize the impact of seasonal stress on goat physiology and highlight the need for season-specific strategies to improve resilience and productivity.