Infrared thermal imaging of muzzle surface region and its temperature profile associated with calving process in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

The objective of the study is to explore the potentiality of infrared thermography for recording of muzzle region temperature around the calving process for prediction of onset of calving process in buffaloes. A total of 28 multiparous pregnant buffaloes are employed in the study. Recording of infrared thermal imaging of eye and muzzle regions were made using FLUKE IR camera. Thermograms were recorded in buffaloes from 96 h before expected time of calving and continued till 24 h post-calving. These are made once in every six hours. The results exhibited a significant decrease in temperature from 48 h prior to onset of calving with a ΔT of 0.56 °C and 0.45 °C, in eye and muzzle region. The residual temperature of both eye and muzzle also followed a similar and significant declining trend from 48 h to 0 h of calving indicating minimal effect of circadian influence on the muzzle surface temperature. However, the decline is attributed to the progesterone that reduces vascular perfusion and cutaneous circulation of the muzzle region. The results of our study concluded that muzzle surface temperature variation in relation to calving as monitored by digital infrared thermal imaging could be explored as a promising tool for prediction of onset of impending calving within − 48 h in buffaloes based on associated thermal signatures.