The influence of heat load on Merino sheep. 2. Body temperature, wool surface temperature and respiratory dynamics

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (16) ◽  
pp. 1932 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. M. Lees ◽  
M. L. Sullivan ◽  
J. C. W. Olm ◽  
A. J. Cawdell-Smith ◽  
J. B. Gaughan

Context Australia exports ~2 million sheep annually. On these voyages, sheep can be exposed to rapidly changing ambient conditions within a short time, and sheep may be exposed to periods of excessive heat load. Aims The aim of this study was to define the responses of sheep exposed to incremental heat load under simulated live export conditions. The study herein describes the influence of heat load on wool surface temperature, body temperature (rumen temperature (TRUM), °C; and rectal temperature (TREC), °C) and respiratory dynamics (respiration rate, breaths/min; and panting score (PS)) of sheep under live export conditions. In addition, the relationship between body temperature and respiratory dynamics was investigated. Methods A total of 144 Merino wethers (44.02 ± 0.32 kg) were used in a 29-day climate controlled study using two cohorts of 72 sheep (n = 2), exposed to two treatments: (1) thermoneutral (TN; ambient temperature was maintained between 18°C and 20°C), and (2) hot (HOT; ambient temperature minimum and maximum were 22.5°C and 38.5°C respectively). Sheep in the HOT treatment were exposed to heat load simulated from live export voyages from Australia to the Middle East. Respiration rate, PS and wool surface temperature (°C) data were collected four times daily, at 3-h intervals between 0800 hours and 1700 hours. Rectal temperatures were collected on five occasions at 7-day intervals. These data were evaluated using a repeated measures model, assuming a compound symmetry covariance structure. Individual TRUM were obtained via rumen boluses at 10-min intervals between Days 23 and 29 of Cohort 2. Individual TRUM data were collated and converted to an hourly mean TRUM for each sheep, these data were then used to determine the hourly mean TRUM for TN and HOT, then analysed using a first order autoregressive repeated measures model. Additionally, the relationship between respiratory dynamics and TRUM were investigated using a Pearson’s correlation coefficient, a partial correlation coefficient and a multivariate analysis of variance. Key results The respiration rate of the HOT sheep (140 ± 3.55 breaths/min) was greater (P < 0.01) than that of the TN sheep (75 ± 3.55 breaths/min). Similarly, the PS of the HOT (1.5 ± 0.02) sheep was greater (P = 0.009) compared with the TN sheep (1.2 ± 0.02). Wool surface temperatures and TREC were greater (P < 0.05) for the HOT sheep than for the TN sheep. There were treatment (P < 0.0001), hour (P < 0.0001), day (P = 0.038) and treatment × hour (P < 0.0001) effects on the TRUM of TN and HOT sheep. Conclusions The climatic conditions imposed within the HOT treatment were sufficient to disrupt the thermal equilibrium of these sheep, resulting in increased respiration rate, PS, TREC and TRUM. Implications These results suggest that the sheep were unable to completely compensate for the imposed heat load via respiration, thus resulting in an increase in TREC and TRUM.

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalia Rocha Matias ◽  
Laura Verrastro

Studies on the thermal biology of fossorial reptiles that examine the relationship between the body temperature and thermal environment are needed to determine the extent of their thermoregulation abilities. This study assessed the thermal biology of Amphisbaena munoai Klappenbach, 1969 in the rocky fields of the Rio Grande do Sul and in the laboratory. The body temperature of most individuals was between 24 and 30 °C, both in the field (n = 81) and laboratory (n = 19). More individuals were caught in winter (n = 55) and spring (n = 60) than in summer (n = 25) and fall (n = 45), and in spring, individuals showed similar nocturnal and diurnal activities. In the laboratory, we found individuals with body temperatures up to 5 °C higher than the ambient temperature (n = 4), suggesting that some physiological mechanisms participate in the thermoregulation of these animals. Amphisbaena munoai is a thigmothermic species that is capable of actively regulating its temperature by selecting microhabitats such that its various activities occur within an ideal temperature range. This study is the first to evaluate the effect of seasonality and diurnal and nocturnal variations on the thermoregulation of an amphisbaenid.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela M. Lees ◽  
Hannah E. Salvin ◽  
Ian. G. Colditz ◽  
Caroline Lee

Previous studies have indicated that cattle with more excitable temperaments exhibit an increased stress response. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between temperament traits, handling, and stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) in beef cattle. Rectal temperatures (TREC, °C) of 60 purebred Angus cattle (30 heifers, 30 steers; 235.2 ± 5.11 kg) were recorded at 20 s intervals from 30 min prior to handling until two hours post handling. All cattle were exposed to a standardized handling procedure consisting of (i) being restrained in a weighing box for 30 s; (ii) being held within the crush for 30 s; and then (iii) being restrained in a head bail for 60 s. Cattle temperaments were evaluated via three traits: (1) agitometer score (AG); (2) crush score (CS); and (3) flight speed (FS) during the handling procedure. Agitometer scores and FS measures were used to describe an AG category (AGCAT) and an FS category (FSCAT) that were used to classify animals into three temperament categories: 1, calm; 2, intermediate; and 3, temperamental. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the associations between (i) AG, CS, FS, and TREC 30 min prior to entry into the weighing box (T-30) and then at 1 min intervals between time of entry into the weighing box (T0) until 10 min post-weighing (T10); and (ii) the relationship between AG, CS, and FS. The relationship between TREC and temperament traits over the 2.5 h were modeled by using a first-order autoregressive repeated measures model. Flight speed had strong to moderate associations with TREC at T-30 (r ≥ 0.37; p ≤ 0.006) and between T0 and T10 (r ≥ 0.36; p ≤ 0.01). There were moderate associations amongst TREC between T0 and T10 and CS (r ≥ 0.31; p ≤ 0.01). A weak relationship existed with CS (r = 0.16; p = 0.16). There were no associations between AG and TREC at T-30 (r ≥ −0.15; p = 0.84) or between T0 and T10 (r ≤ 0.04; p ≥ 0.4). Rectal temperature, irrespective of sex and temperament traits, was influenced by time (p < 0.0001), and maximum TREC (39.3 ± 0.04 °C) occurred between 4 and 5.7 min after entry into the weighing box. In addition, CS (p = 0.007) influenced TREC in these cattle. There were also time × temperament trait × sex interactions with the CS (p = 0.0003) and FSCAT (p = 0.043) categories; however, time × temperament trait interactions were not statistically significant. Results from this study suggest that cattle with excitable temperaments, as evaluated by FS and CS, have a greater increase in TREC. In addition, these results suggest that a relationship exists between basal TREC and FS and CS. Together, these results highlight that temperament, as assessed by FS and CS, influences both basal TREC and the peak temperature recorded following handling but does not influence the magnitude of change in TREC post handling.


2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. A. Descovich ◽  
S. Johnston ◽  
A. Lisle ◽  
V. Nicolson ◽  
T. Janssen ◽  
...  

The southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) is a nocturnal, fossorial marsupial that has evolved a range of physiological and behavioural adaptations to its semiarid environment. This study describes long-term core body temperature (Tb) of L. latifrons in a population with opportunities for behavioural thermoregulation through burrow use. Tb was measured hourly in 12 captive L. latifrons using implanted dataloggers over a 9-month period from late winter to late autumn. Data were examined for daily patterns, seasonal changes, sex differences and the relationship with environmental conditions (ambient temperature, den temperature and relative humidity). Tb ranged from 30.9 to 38.8°C, and had a distinct nychthemeral rhythm, with peak temperatures occurring at night in line with nocturnal activity. Females had a higher mean Tb (34.9°C) than males (34.4°C). The relationship between external ambient temperature and body temperature was negative, with body temperature decreasing as ambient temperature increased. This study is an important step towards a comprehensive picture of thermoregulation in L. latifrons, which may become vulnerable in the future if environmental temperatures rise and water availability decreases.


1989 ◽  
Vol 143 (1) ◽  
pp. 211-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. N. STONE ◽  
P. G. WILLMER

‘Grab and stab’ methods have become standard in the measurement of insect body temperatures. The gradient of the best-fit regression of body temperature on ambient temperature is often used as a measure of the thermoregulatory ability of a species. The temperatures recorded are commonly accepted as slight underestimates of actual values prior to capture due to passive cooling between capture and insertion of the thermocouple. Here we present laboratory experiments involving tethered flight which show that bees often warm up on cessation of flight, and that errors due to warm-up over the time interval typically associated with ‘grab and stab’ sampling may be significant. More importantly, the errors due to warm-up in two species are shown to change with ambient temperature, thus affecting the form of the relationship between ambient and body temperatures. We compare laboratory and field data to illustrate the way in which warm-up errors may exaggerate apparent thermoregulatory ability, and we urge greater caution in the interpretation of ‘grab and stab’ data.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 150-150
Author(s):  
Stephanie L Sammes ◽  
Angela M Lees ◽  
Judy A Cawdell-Smith ◽  
John B Gaughan

Abstract Body temperature (BT) is a reliable method for evaluating the thermal status of cattle. The objective of this study was to evaluate the regulation of BT in B. indicus and B. taurus steers during a heat wave event. Thirty-five steers (466.30±10.2kg) of mixed genotypes (B. taurus, n = 18; B. indicus, n = 17) were used in a larger 100-d study. Cattle were housed in six un-shaded pens at a commercial feedlot. Body temperature data for this were obtained at 1 h intervals over a 3-d heat wave event using in situ abdominal data loggers. Data were analysed using a repeated measures model, using residual maximum likelihood estimation. The model included genotype (B. taurus; B. indicus) and animal ID as random effects and hour as a fixed effect. Mean maximum BT occurred at 1500 h for B. taurus (40.52±0.03ºC) and 0400 h for B. indicus (40.48±0.31ºC). The BT of B. indicus decreased between 0400 h and 0700 h, and then increased to 1100 h (+0.10±0.01ºC/h), before decreasing again. The BT of B. taurus decreased between 0500 h and 0600 h, and then slowly increased (+0.04±0.01ºC/h) to 1500 h. Mean minimum BT occurred at 2100 h for B. taurus (40.12±0.11ºC) and 0700 h for B. indicus (40.00±0.22ºC). B. taurus maintained lower BT (40.21±0.05ºC) between 1900 h and 2200 h compared to B. indicus (40.27±0.05ºC) which may be due to disrupted heat loss mechanisms during the day, highlighting the importance of night time cooling. In response to increasing heat load, BT in B. taurus had slower increases but retained heat for longer, whilst B. indicus BT responded by a series of rapid increases and decreases. Developing an understanding of the differences in BT regulation in B. indicus and B. taurus will allow for more effective heat load management strategies during heat waves to be established.


2014 ◽  
Vol 554 ◽  
pp. 573-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zulkurnain Abdul-Maleka ◽  
Amir Hesam Khavari ◽  
Nabipour Afrouzi Hadi ◽  
Saeed Vahabi-Mashak

Various methods have been developed to monitor surge arrester condition and predict the probable interruption which can be caused by the failure of surge arresters. This paper aims to carry out experimental and simulation work to find the relationship between the aging level, arrester surface temperature and ambient temperature. COMSOL simulation software was used for the modeling of 120kV rated gapless ZnO surge arresters. It is observed from both the simulation analysis and experimental data that the leakage current and temperature increase as a consequence of an increase in the applied voltage across the arrester. The thermal profile of the ZnO surge arrester changes depending on the aging level and the ambient temperature. The surface temperature simulation results compare well with the experimental results, for the case of varying aging levels.


1976 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 739-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
WILLIAM HOHENBOKEN ◽  
THEODORE P. KISTNER

The effects of time on feed and of ambient temperature on water intake, and the effects of preconditioning and shearing treatments and of ambient temperature on body temperature and respiration rate of feedlot lambs were examined. Daily ambient temperature maximum, minimum and range averaged 27.5, 10.8 and 16.7 C, respectively, for 56 days between July and September. For the first 24 days that the lambs were on feed, water intake was not affected by ambient temperature. Intake did increase linearly with day (b = 160 ml), concurrently with increasing feed intake. During the remaining 32 days, water intake per lamb increased 139 ml per 1 C rise in average daily ambient temperature. Afternoon body temperature, morning to afternoon body temperature change, and respiration rate all increased with increasing ambient temperature. Preconditioning 1 wk before weaning (pneumonia, ovine ecthyma and enterotoxemia vaccinations and drenching for tapeworms, intestinal roundworms and coccidia) vs. conditioning the lambs with the same treatments at the time of weaning and shipment did not affect body temperature or respiration rate. Lambs sheared with a clipper attachment which left a 1-cm fleece stubble averaged 0.3 C lower in afternoon body temperature than either close-shorn or unshorn lambs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 351-351
Author(s):  
Adriana Morales Trejo ◽  
Fernanda González ◽  
Hugo Bernal ◽  
Miguel Cervantes ◽  
Caroline Gonzalez-Vega ◽  
...  

Abstract Heat stress (HS) reduces feed intake and affects the well-being of pigs by increasing their body temperature (BT) and respiration rate (RR). Nitric oxide, an Arg metabolite, helps to dissipate body heat by stimulating blood vasodilation. Because reduced feed intake translates into decreased Arg consumption, the effect of supplementing Arg in the diet on BT and RR was analyzed using 8-ileal cannulated pigs (61.7±2.7 kg BW) exposed to HS. A thermometer set to register BT at 5-min intervals was implanted into the ileum. There were two treatments: control wheat-soybean meal plus free Lys-Thr diet (CON), and the CON diet added with 0.20% free Arg (ARG). The study was conducted in two-6 d periods; d1-d3 for diet adaptation and d4-d6 for BT data analysis. The RR (respirations per min - rpm) was measured in all pigs at 0600-h and 1600-h. Pigs were fed at 0700-h and 1900-h, 900 g/meal. Ambient temperature and relative humidity were: 28.2-to-34.6 °C, 53-to-82%, respectively. Ambient temperature and BT followed a similar pattern every day. There was no interaction in BT and RR between periods. Overall, BT of ARG pigs (40.75°C) was slightly lower (P &lt; 0.05) than in CON pigs (40.71°C). Arg supplementation greatly reduced RR (rpm) regardless of period and day time (P &lt; 0.05): overall (91, 73), period-1 (98, 78), period-2 (85, 68), 0600-h, (68, 52), 1600-h (115, 94), respectively. The RR at 0600-h (60) was lower than at 1400-h (109; P &lt; 0.05) regardless of diet. The reduced RR because of Arg supplementation may be explained as an increased synthesis of nitric oxide probably resulting in both increased vasodilation and dissipation of body heat. In conclusion, although supplemental Arg caused a modest decrease in BT, the large RR reduction may indicate that Arg might help to improve the welfare of HS pigs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 235-235
Author(s):  
Stephanie L Sammes ◽  
Angela M Lees ◽  
Judy A Cawdell-Smith ◽  
John B Gaughan

Abstract Body temperature (BT) is a reliable method for evaluating the thermal status of cattle. The objective of this study was to evaluate the regulation of BT in B. indicus and B. taurus steers during a heat wave event. Thirty-five steers (466.30±10.2kg) of mixed genotypes (B. taurus, n = 18; B. indicus, n = 17) were used in a larger 100-d study. Cattle were housed in six un-shaded pens at a commercial feedlot. Body temperature data for this were obtained at 1 h intervals over a 3-d heat wave event using in situ abdominal data loggers. Data were analysed using a repeated measures model, using residual maximum likelihood estimation. The model included genotype (B. taurus; B. indicus) and animal ID as random effects and hour as a fixed effect. Mean maximum BT occurred at 1500 h for B. taurus (40.52±0.03ºC) and 0400 h for B. indicus (40.48±0.31ºC). The BT of B. indicus decreased between 0400 h and 0700 h, and then increased to 1100 h (+0.10±0.01ºC/h), before decreasing again. The BT of B. taurus decreased between 0500 h and 0600 h, and then slowly increased (+0.04±0.01ºC/h) to 1500 h. Mean minimum BT occurred at 2100 h for B. taurus (40.12±0.11ºC) and 0700 h for B. indicus (40.00±0.22ºC). B. taurus maintained lower BT (40.21±0.05ºC) between 1900 h and 2200 h compared to B. indicus (40.27±0.05ºC) which may be due to disrupted heat loss mechanisms during the day, highlighting the importance of night time cooling. In response to increasing heat load, BT in B. taurus had slower increases but retained heat for longer, whilst B. indicus BT responded by a series of rapid increases and decreases. Developing an understanding of the differences in BT regulation in B. indicus and B. taurus will allow for more effective heat load management strategies during heat waves to be established.


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