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Full Research Article

Physilogical Indices and Antioxidative Profile of Zovawk Pig of Mizoram during Growth and Maturity

P
Pompy Das1
P
Prava Mayengbam1,*
M
M.C. Lallianchhunga1
T
T.C. Tolenkhomba1
P
Parthasarathi Behera1
N
N.S. Singh1
H
H. Lalliankimi1
1College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Aizawl-796 014, Mizoram, India.

ABSTRACT

Background: Zovawk is an indigenous pig breed of Mizoram, India. Baseline data on haematological and blood biochemical parameters of Zovawk were found to correlate with age, different physiological conditions and season. Zovawk pigs suffered weaning stress with decrease in antioxidative status. There is limited knowledge on antioxidative and oxidative status of Zovawk during growth and maturity. There is no traceable data available on the physiological indices of Zovawk.

Methods: Physiological indices of 4 months and 6 months old grower and 10 months old adult Zovawk pigs were recorded. Antioxidative and oxidative biomarkers were estimated in blood. Stress biomarkers were estimated in blood and saliva.  Certain blood biochemical parameters, were estimated blood.

Result: Baseline data on physiological indices, viz. respiration rate, pulse rate and rectal temperature, certain biochemical parameters, stress, oxidative and antioxidative biomarkers of Zovawk during growth and maturity were determined. Grower pigs had lower heart rate and lower rectal temperature than the adult pigs. Activity of antioxidative enzyme, GPx increased with growth and declined with maturity. Antioxidative marker, FRAP was higher in grower pigs than in adult pigs. Plasma cortisol was higher in young grower pigs while plasma cholesterol was higher in adult pigs. Respiration rate, activity of SOD, catalase and sAA, TBARS, blood glucose and total plasma protein were not influenced by growth.

INTRODUCTION

Zovawk pigs are semi wild indigenous pig breed of India whose home tract is in different parts of Mizoram. Zovawk received its recognition as a breed in the year 2017. Zovawk plays an important cultural status in Mizoram, India though its population is very less and its production performances are very poor (Zosangpuii et al. 2020). Zovawk is being reared under All India Co-ordinated Research Projects on Pig to conserve its germ plasm and to improve its production performance through selective breeding.
       
To maintain healthy and productive animals in the farm the knowledge on its physiological parameters is indispensable. Physiological indices viz. respiration rate, heart rate and rectal temperatures are characteristic for every species of animals. Deviation in the body functions is evidenced by changes in the physiological indices of animals as physiological indices are adaptive characteristics of every species. Although, growth of animal is a physiological process, economically efficient growth of animals demands an effective antioxidative mechanism to combat the complex biotic and abiotic stresses experienced by the animals.
       
Baseline data on blood biochemical and haematological parameters of Zovawk were found to correlate with age (Mayengbam et al., 2012; Mayengbam et al., 2014; Das et al., 2019), different physiological conditions (Das et al., 2020) and season (Mayengbam et al., 2015). Haematological and blood biochemical parameters revealed in the previous studies indicated its resemblances to its wild ancestors and other indigenous pig breeds of India (Mayengbam et al., 2012; Mayengbam et al., 2014; Nath et al., 2017; Mili et al., 2020). Histomorphological study of testes of and anatomical study of liver of Zovawk have also been reported (Singh et al., 2018; Debroy et al., 2026). Recent studies on weaning piglets of Zovawk revealed presence of weaning stress and decline in antioxidative status due to weaning (Majumder et al., 2022). There is limited knowledge on oxidative and antioxidative and stress status of Zovawk during growth and maturity. There is no traceable data available on the physiological indices of Zovawk.
       
The present study aims to determine the baseline data on physiological indices viz. respiration rate, heart rate and rectal temperature, oxidative and antioxidative and stress biomarkers, of Zovawk during its growth and maturity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Apparently healthy Zovawk pigs reared under All India Co-ordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Pigs, C.V. Sc. and A.H., CAU, Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram were used for the study. A total number of 90 Zovawk pigs were used for the experiment and were grouped in to 3 groups as 4 months and 6 months old growers and 10 months old adults. Each group consisted of 10 pigs comprising of 2 males and 8 females. The basal diet provided to the respective animals was as per National Research Council (NRC, 2012). The pigs were fed with Ran-Chaw Pig Feed manufactured at Animal Feed Plant, Tanhril, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, Government of Mizoram. Body weight of each animal was recorded in weekly interval. The experimental pigs were handled as per the standard practices followed at the farm. After the experimental use of the animals for record of physiological parameters and saliva and blood collection the pigs were left to their respective sties.
       
Meteorological parameters viz. ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) were recorded by WatchDog Automatic weather Station. The records were obtained at 3 hours interval i.e. 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 hours every day during the period of 1st February 30th June, 2024. Temperature humidity index (THI) was calculated by using the formula, THI =0.8AT+RH(AT–14.4)/100+46.4 as per Thom (1959) where AT was in °C and RH was in %.
       
Blood was collected from grower and adult Zovawk pigs on 15 days intervals by puncturing the anterior vena cava. Fresh blood was used for estimation of blood glucose. Heparinized blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 20 min to separate the plasma and cells. The plasma was separated for estimation of total protein, total cholesterol, cortisol, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and ferric reducing antioxidative power (FRAP). RBC left in the sediment was washed with equal volume of normal saline solution for 3 times. To prepare 1% hemolysate, 100 µl of washed RBC was mixed with 9.9 ml of 0.05 M phosphate buffer saline, pH 7.4. The hemolysate was used for estimation of activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase.
       
Saliva samples were obtained after 2 hour of feeding from each of the animals at 1 week interval during the study. Sponge was introduced to the mouth of the pig with the help of an artery forceps to allow chewing. After chewing for some time, the pigs spitted out the sponge soaked with saliva. The sponge was then put into 5 ml syringe. The saliva was removed from the syringe and collected in a microcentrifuge tube. The saliva was centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 15 min. The supernatant was transferred into a fresh tube.
       
The activity of SOD was estimated as per the method of Nishikimi et al. (1972) and expressed as U/mg hemolysate protein. The activity of GPx was estimated by the method of Rotruck et al. (1973) and activity was expressed as U/mg hemolysate protein. Catalase activity was determined by the method of Aebi (1984). Catalase activity was expressed as U/mg of hemolysate protein.
       
Concentration of TBARS was estimated by following the method described by Uchiyama and Mihara (1978) and modified by Balakhnina et al., (2009). The method was based on spectrophotometrically measuring of formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and was expressed as µM. Concentration of FRAP was estimated by following the method of Benzie and Strain (1999).

Cortisol was estimated in plasma by enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay kit, manufactured by Elabscience Biotechnologies Inc. Texas, USA. The activity of salivary alpha amylase (sAA) was estimated in saliva by using FUJI DRI-CHEM slides and the FUJIFILM DRI-CHEM 4000i automated blood analyzer. Blood glucose was estimated in fresh blood by using a glucometer (Accu-Check Active Roche, Brazil). The total plasma protein and concentration of hemolysate protein were estimated by Biuret method (Lubran, 1978). Total cholesterol was estimated by the method of King as described by Wootton (1964) with certain modifications.
       
The data obtained from the experiment was analyzed as per standard statistical procedure outlined by Snedecor and Cochran (1994). One way ANOVA was applied to determine the different parameters considered during the experiment. SPSS version 30.0 was used for statistical analysis and the significant difference between different groups under investigation was tested by using univariate analysis of variances and subjected to Duncan’s post-hoc test.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The present study found out the baseline data on physiological indices and antioxidative profile of growing and adult Zovawk pigs. To check the normal health status of the experimental animals the study also estimated stress biomarkers; cortisol and sAA activity and certain blood biochemical parameters viz. glucose, total plasma protein and total cholesterol. Data on AT and RH were obtained and were used for calculation of THI during the period.
 
Meteorological data
 
The meteorological data recorded were presented in Table 1. During the period of study average AT (ATav) was found to increase significantly from February to June. The average RH (RHav) was recorded to be lower in March than in February and thereafter it was found to increase significantly to June. The average THI (THIav) was found to increase significantly from February to March then to April and May and thereafter to June.

Table 1: Ambient temperature (°C), relative humidity (%) and THI during February to June, 2024.


       
The thermoneutral zone for pig was between 18 and 20°C (Wathes and Whittemore 2006) while the ideal temperature range for sows had been indicated as 16-22°C (Ma et al., 2023). Physiology of pigs are affected by combination of higher temperature with higher humidity (NRC, 1981; Serres, 1992). As per the reports of Botto et al. (2014) THI levels should be below 74 for pigs while THI between 74 and 79 was considered serious and THI between 79 and 84 was considered lethal. The THI between 79.55-82.56 during summer in Assam was found to affect the respiration rate and rectal temperature of Hampshire and crossbred of Hampshire and local pig of Assam (Pathak et al., 2018). A THI above 78 was found to increase respiration rate, heart rate and rectal temperature of Hampshire and crossbred of Hampshire with local pig of Assam (Govindasamy et al., 2022). In the present study, ATav and RHav were 21.72±0.14°C and 77.36±0.58% respectively amounting to a THIav of 68.82±0.19 which was well below the stressful range for pigs.
       
Thus, based on the findings of meteorological data, the subsequent findings on the physiological indices, antioxidative profile, stress biomarkers and blood biochemical parameters of Zovawk could be considered as normal baseline data.
 
Body weight of Zovawk pigs
 
The grower and adult pigs in 3 different groups were found to increase their body weight significantly (P<0.001) with age (Table 2). Body weight of 4 to 10 months old adult Zovawk pigs in the present study was comparable to the body weight of 14 months old pig in previous study (Mayengbam et al., 2015).

Table 2: Body weight and physiological indices of grower and adult Zovawk pigs.


 
Physiological indices
 
Respiration rate of Zovawk remained stable in all the age groups (Table 2). The respiration rate of Zovawk was found to be in higher ranges as compared to the reports of Pathak et al. (2018) in indigenous pig of Assam. The heart rate of Zovawk increased significantly (P<0.01) in 6 months and 10 months (Table 2). The heart rate of Zovawk was comparatively higher than the reports of Govindasamy et al. (2022) in indigenous pig of Assam. Rectal temperature of Zovawk was higher in adults than in grower pigs (Table 2) which could be the result of reproductive cycle (Sipos et al., 2013) as many gilts conceived during the experiment. Rectal temperature of Zovawk was however found to be in lower ranges as compared to rectal temperature of indigenous pig of Assam (Pathak et al., 2018; Govindasamy et al., 2022).
 
Antioxidative biomarkers
 
In the current study there was no significant change in SOD activity with age (Table 3). SOD of growers and adult Zovawk pigs was in higher ranges as compared to the SOD of Zovawk on 56th day of age (Majumder et al., 2022). The grower and adult Zovawk pigs maintained higher SOD as compared to that of indigenous pigs of Assam (Govindasamy et al., 2022).

Table 3: Antioxidative, stress and blood biochemical profile of grower and adult Zovawk pigs.


       
The GPx activity recorded in the 4 months old and 10 months old pigs were comparable to that of weaned Zovawk pigs (Majumder et al., 2022). The GPx activity increased significantly in 6 months (Table 3). GPx was also found to increase during the post-weaning phase with the highest levels seen on days 29 and 35 of post weaning (Novais et al., 2020).
       
The present finding revealed no significant change in catalase activity of Zovawk with age from 4 months to 6 months and further to 10 months of age (Table 3). The activity of catalase was in range of catalase activity recorded in 70 days old Zovawk piglets (Majumder et al., 2022).
       
Measure of MDA showed no significant change with the age (Table 3). The level of TBARS estimated as MDA was comparable to TBARS detected in plasma of 70 days old Zovawk piglets (Majumder et al., 2022). The plasma concentration of FRAP in growers were significantly higher than in the adult Zovawk pigs (Table 3).
 
Stress biomarkers
 
The study found higher cortisol in 4 months old pigs than in 10 months old pigs (Table 3). Plasma cortisol of pigs increased post weaning and decreased at 6 months of (Stull et al., 1999). As Zovawk piglets were weaned on 56th day of age, the 4 months old Zovawk pigs were in the post weaning and growing phase in the current study. The tendency to decline its cortisol and significant decrease at 10 months could be an age effect. Zovawk pigs were found to have comparatively higher cortisol than other indigenous breeds (Govindasamy et al., 2022).
       
The activity of sAA is a sensitive marker of emotional and physiological state and stress (DeCaro 2008; Nater and Rohleder 2009). The study showed no significant change in activity of sAA with age (Table 3) while previous report indicated a decrease with age of crossbred pigs (Pierzynowska et al. 2018). Activity of sAA of Zovawk showed high individual variation as in previous report (Fuentes et al., 2011).
 
Blood biochemical parameters
 
The blood biochemical parameters of grower and adult Zovawk pigs were presented in Table 3. The blood glucose was not influenced by the age of the animals similar to the reports of Mayengbam et al. (2012). Older Zovawk pigs were found to have higher total protein in previous reports (Mayengbam et al., 2012) while the adult pigs in the present study had similar total protein as the growers. Since the adult pigs in the present study were comparatively younger than the previous study, the effect of age on total protein was not evident. Total cholesterol estimated in the current study was in the range reported earlier in grower and adult Zovawk pigs (Mayengbam et al., 2012). The total cholesterol of Zovawk was increased with age as reported earlier (Das et al., 2019).

CONCLUSION

The meteorological data of Aizawl indicated a pleasant environment for Zovawk pigs during the months from February to June, 2024. Physiological indices and antioxidative status of Zovawk was found to change during growth and maturity. Younger pigs maintained lower heart rate and older pigs maintained higher rectal temperature. Younger pigs maintained higher plasma cortisol with better antioxidative status than the older pigs. The oxidative status biomarkers of Zovawk showed no significant change with growth and maturity.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article. No funding or sponsorship influenced the design of the study, data collection, analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

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    Full Research Article

    Physilogical Indices and Antioxidative Profile of Zovawk Pig of Mizoram during Growth and Maturity

    P
    Pompy Das1
    P
    Prava Mayengbam1,*
    M
    M.C. Lallianchhunga1
    T
    T.C. Tolenkhomba1
    P
    Parthasarathi Behera1
    N
    N.S. Singh1
    H
    H. Lalliankimi1
    1College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Central Agricultural University, Selesih, Aizawl-796 014, Mizoram, India.

    ABSTRACT

    Background: Zovawk is an indigenous pig breed of Mizoram, India. Baseline data on haematological and blood biochemical parameters of Zovawk were found to correlate with age, different physiological conditions and season. Zovawk pigs suffered weaning stress with decrease in antioxidative status. There is limited knowledge on antioxidative and oxidative status of Zovawk during growth and maturity. There is no traceable data available on the physiological indices of Zovawk.

    Methods: Physiological indices of 4 months and 6 months old grower and 10 months old adult Zovawk pigs were recorded. Antioxidative and oxidative biomarkers were estimated in blood. Stress biomarkers were estimated in blood and saliva.  Certain blood biochemical parameters, were estimated blood.

    Result: Baseline data on physiological indices, viz. respiration rate, pulse rate and rectal temperature, certain biochemical parameters, stress, oxidative and antioxidative biomarkers of Zovawk during growth and maturity were determined. Grower pigs had lower heart rate and lower rectal temperature than the adult pigs. Activity of antioxidative enzyme, GPx increased with growth and declined with maturity. Antioxidative marker, FRAP was higher in grower pigs than in adult pigs. Plasma cortisol was higher in young grower pigs while plasma cholesterol was higher in adult pigs. Respiration rate, activity of SOD, catalase and sAA, TBARS, blood glucose and total plasma protein were not influenced by growth.

    INTRODUCTION

    Zovawk pigs are semi wild indigenous pig breed of India whose home tract is in different parts of Mizoram. Zovawk received its recognition as a breed in the year 2017. Zovawk plays an important cultural status in Mizoram, India though its population is very less and its production performances are very poor (Zosangpuii et al. 2020). Zovawk is being reared under All India Co-ordinated Research Projects on Pig to conserve its germ plasm and to improve its production performance through selective breeding.
           
    To maintain healthy and productive animals in the farm the knowledge on its physiological parameters is indispensable. Physiological indices viz. respiration rate, heart rate and rectal temperatures are characteristic for every species of animals. Deviation in the body functions is evidenced by changes in the physiological indices of animals as physiological indices are adaptive characteristics of every species. Although, growth of animal is a physiological process, economically efficient growth of animals demands an effective antioxidative mechanism to combat the complex biotic and abiotic stresses experienced by the animals.
           
    Baseline data on blood biochemical and haematological parameters of Zovawk were found to correlate with age (Mayengbam et al., 2012; Mayengbam et al., 2014; Das et al., 2019), different physiological conditions (Das et al., 2020) and season (Mayengbam et al., 2015). Haematological and blood biochemical parameters revealed in the previous studies indicated its resemblances to its wild ancestors and other indigenous pig breeds of India (Mayengbam et al., 2012; Mayengbam et al., 2014; Nath et al., 2017; Mili et al., 2020). Histomorphological study of testes of and anatomical study of liver of Zovawk have also been reported (Singh et al., 2018; Debroy et al., 2026). Recent studies on weaning piglets of Zovawk revealed presence of weaning stress and decline in antioxidative status due to weaning (Majumder et al., 2022). There is limited knowledge on oxidative and antioxidative and stress status of Zovawk during growth and maturity. There is no traceable data available on the physiological indices of Zovawk.
           
    The present study aims to determine the baseline data on physiological indices viz. respiration rate, heart rate and rectal temperature, oxidative and antioxidative and stress biomarkers, of Zovawk during its growth and maturity.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS

    Apparently healthy Zovawk pigs reared under All India Co-ordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Pigs, C.V. Sc. and A.H., CAU, Selesih, Aizawl, Mizoram were used for the study. A total number of 90 Zovawk pigs were used for the experiment and were grouped in to 3 groups as 4 months and 6 months old growers and 10 months old adults. Each group consisted of 10 pigs comprising of 2 males and 8 females. The basal diet provided to the respective animals was as per National Research Council (NRC, 2012). The pigs were fed with Ran-Chaw Pig Feed manufactured at Animal Feed Plant, Tanhril, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, Government of Mizoram. Body weight of each animal was recorded in weekly interval. The experimental pigs were handled as per the standard practices followed at the farm. After the experimental use of the animals for record of physiological parameters and saliva and blood collection the pigs were left to their respective sties.
           
    Meteorological parameters viz. ambient temperature (AT) and relative humidity (RH) were recorded by WatchDog Automatic weather Station. The records were obtained at 3 hours interval i.e. 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 hours every day during the period of 1st February 30th June, 2024. Temperature humidity index (THI) was calculated by using the formula, THI =0.8AT+RH(AT–14.4)/100+46.4 as per Thom (1959) where AT was in °C and RH was in %.
           
    Blood was collected from grower and adult Zovawk pigs on 15 days intervals by puncturing the anterior vena cava. Fresh blood was used for estimation of blood glucose. Heparinized blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 20 min to separate the plasma and cells. The plasma was separated for estimation of total protein, total cholesterol, cortisol, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and ferric reducing antioxidative power (FRAP). RBC left in the sediment was washed with equal volume of normal saline solution for 3 times. To prepare 1% hemolysate, 100 µl of washed RBC was mixed with 9.9 ml of 0.05 M phosphate buffer saline, pH 7.4. The hemolysate was used for estimation of activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase.
           
    Saliva samples were obtained after 2 hour of feeding from each of the animals at 1 week interval during the study. Sponge was introduced to the mouth of the pig with the help of an artery forceps to allow chewing. After chewing for some time, the pigs spitted out the sponge soaked with saliva. The sponge was then put into 5 ml syringe. The saliva was removed from the syringe and collected in a microcentrifuge tube. The saliva was centrifuged at 2500 rpm for 15 min. The supernatant was transferred into a fresh tube.
           
    The activity of SOD was estimated as per the method of Nishikimi et al. (1972) and expressed as U/mg hemolysate protein. The activity of GPx was estimated by the method of Rotruck et al. (1973) and activity was expressed as U/mg hemolysate protein. Catalase activity was determined by the method of Aebi (1984). Catalase activity was expressed as U/mg of hemolysate protein.
           
    Concentration of TBARS was estimated by following the method described by Uchiyama and Mihara (1978) and modified by Balakhnina et al., (2009). The method was based on spectrophotometrically measuring of formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and was expressed as µM. Concentration of FRAP was estimated by following the method of Benzie and Strain (1999).

    Cortisol was estimated in plasma by enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay kit, manufactured by Elabscience Biotechnologies Inc. Texas, USA. The activity of salivary alpha amylase (sAA) was estimated in saliva by using FUJI DRI-CHEM slides and the FUJIFILM DRI-CHEM 4000i automated blood analyzer. Blood glucose was estimated in fresh blood by using a glucometer (Accu-Check Active Roche, Brazil). The total plasma protein and concentration of hemolysate protein were estimated by Biuret method (Lubran, 1978). Total cholesterol was estimated by the method of King as described by Wootton (1964) with certain modifications.
           
    The data obtained from the experiment was analyzed as per standard statistical procedure outlined by Snedecor and Cochran (1994). One way ANOVA was applied to determine the different parameters considered during the experiment. SPSS version 30.0 was used for statistical analysis and the significant difference between different groups under investigation was tested by using univariate analysis of variances and subjected to Duncan’s post-hoc test.

    RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

    The present study found out the baseline data on physiological indices and antioxidative profile of growing and adult Zovawk pigs. To check the normal health status of the experimental animals the study also estimated stress biomarkers; cortisol and sAA activity and certain blood biochemical parameters viz. glucose, total plasma protein and total cholesterol. Data on AT and RH were obtained and were used for calculation of THI during the period.
     
    Meteorological data
     
    The meteorological data recorded were presented in Table 1. During the period of study average AT (ATav) was found to increase significantly from February to June. The average RH (RHav) was recorded to be lower in March than in February and thereafter it was found to increase significantly to June. The average THI (THIav) was found to increase significantly from February to March then to April and May and thereafter to June.

    Table 1: Ambient temperature (°C), relative humidity (%) and THI during February to June, 2024.


           
    The thermoneutral zone for pig was between 18 and 20°C (Wathes and Whittemore 2006) while the ideal temperature range for sows had been indicated as 16-22°C (Ma et al., 2023). Physiology of pigs are affected by combination of higher temperature with higher humidity (NRC, 1981; Serres, 1992). As per the reports of Botto et al. (2014) THI levels should be below 74 for pigs while THI between 74 and 79 was considered serious and THI between 79 and 84 was considered lethal. The THI between 79.55-82.56 during summer in Assam was found to affect the respiration rate and rectal temperature of Hampshire and crossbred of Hampshire and local pig of Assam (Pathak et al., 2018). A THI above 78 was found to increase respiration rate, heart rate and rectal temperature of Hampshire and crossbred of Hampshire with local pig of Assam (Govindasamy et al., 2022). In the present study, ATav and RHav were 21.72±0.14°C and 77.36±0.58% respectively amounting to a THIav of 68.82±0.19 which was well below the stressful range for pigs.
           
    Thus, based on the findings of meteorological data, the subsequent findings on the physiological indices, antioxidative profile, stress biomarkers and blood biochemical parameters of Zovawk could be considered as normal baseline data.
     
    Body weight of Zovawk pigs
     
    The grower and adult pigs in 3 different groups were found to increase their body weight significantly (P<0.001) with age (Table 2). Body weight of 4 to 10 months old adult Zovawk pigs in the present study was comparable to the body weight of 14 months old pig in previous study (Mayengbam et al., 2015).

    Table 2: Body weight and physiological indices of grower and adult Zovawk pigs.


     
    Physiological indices
     
    Respiration rate of Zovawk remained stable in all the age groups (Table 2). The respiration rate of Zovawk was found to be in higher ranges as compared to the reports of Pathak et al. (2018) in indigenous pig of Assam. The heart rate of Zovawk increased significantly (P<0.01) in 6 months and 10 months (Table 2). The heart rate of Zovawk was comparatively higher than the reports of Govindasamy et al. (2022) in indigenous pig of Assam. Rectal temperature of Zovawk was higher in adults than in grower pigs (Table 2) which could be the result of reproductive cycle (Sipos et al., 2013) as many gilts conceived during the experiment. Rectal temperature of Zovawk was however found to be in lower ranges as compared to rectal temperature of indigenous pig of Assam (Pathak et al., 2018; Govindasamy et al., 2022).
     
    Antioxidative biomarkers
     
    In the current study there was no significant change in SOD activity with age (Table 3). SOD of growers and adult Zovawk pigs was in higher ranges as compared to the SOD of Zovawk on 56th day of age (Majumder et al., 2022). The grower and adult Zovawk pigs maintained higher SOD as compared to that of indigenous pigs of Assam (Govindasamy et al., 2022).

    Table 3: Antioxidative, stress and blood biochemical profile of grower and adult Zovawk pigs.


           
    The GPx activity recorded in the 4 months old and 10 months old pigs were comparable to that of weaned Zovawk pigs (Majumder et al., 2022). The GPx activity increased significantly in 6 months (Table 3). GPx was also found to increase during the post-weaning phase with the highest levels seen on days 29 and 35 of post weaning (Novais et al., 2020).
           
    The present finding revealed no significant change in catalase activity of Zovawk with age from 4 months to 6 months and further to 10 months of age (Table 3). The activity of catalase was in range of catalase activity recorded in 70 days old Zovawk piglets (Majumder et al., 2022).
           
    Measure of MDA showed no significant change with the age (Table 3). The level of TBARS estimated as MDA was comparable to TBARS detected in plasma of 70 days old Zovawk piglets (Majumder et al., 2022). The plasma concentration of FRAP in growers were significantly higher than in the adult Zovawk pigs (Table 3).
     
    Stress biomarkers
     
    The study found higher cortisol in 4 months old pigs than in 10 months old pigs (Table 3). Plasma cortisol of pigs increased post weaning and decreased at 6 months of (Stull et al., 1999). As Zovawk piglets were weaned on 56th day of age, the 4 months old Zovawk pigs were in the post weaning and growing phase in the current study. The tendency to decline its cortisol and significant decrease at 10 months could be an age effect. Zovawk pigs were found to have comparatively higher cortisol than other indigenous breeds (Govindasamy et al., 2022).
           
    The activity of sAA is a sensitive marker of emotional and physiological state and stress (DeCaro 2008; Nater and Rohleder 2009). The study showed no significant change in activity of sAA with age (Table 3) while previous report indicated a decrease with age of crossbred pigs (Pierzynowska et al. 2018). Activity of sAA of Zovawk showed high individual variation as in previous report (Fuentes et al., 2011).
     
    Blood biochemical parameters
     
    The blood biochemical parameters of grower and adult Zovawk pigs were presented in Table 3. The blood glucose was not influenced by the age of the animals similar to the reports of Mayengbam et al. (2012). Older Zovawk pigs were found to have higher total protein in previous reports (Mayengbam et al., 2012) while the adult pigs in the present study had similar total protein as the growers. Since the adult pigs in the present study were comparatively younger than the previous study, the effect of age on total protein was not evident. Total cholesterol estimated in the current study was in the range reported earlier in grower and adult Zovawk pigs (Mayengbam et al., 2012). The total cholesterol of Zovawk was increased with age as reported earlier (Das et al., 2019).

    CONCLUSION

    The meteorological data of Aizawl indicated a pleasant environment for Zovawk pigs during the months from February to June, 2024. Physiological indices and antioxidative status of Zovawk was found to change during growth and maturity. Younger pigs maintained lower heart rate and older pigs maintained higher rectal temperature. Younger pigs maintained higher plasma cortisol with better antioxidative status than the older pigs. The oxidative status biomarkers of Zovawk showed no significant change with growth and maturity.

    CONFLICT OF INTEREST

    The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article. No funding or sponsorship influenced the design of the study, data collection, analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

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