Boletim de Indústria Animal (Nov 2022)

Simple physiological indicators of 1„2 Santa inês × 1„2 Dorper crossbred sheep raised in the municipality of Mirador, Maranhão, Brazil

  • . M. B. Moura,
  • L. S. Borges,
  • A. L. Moreira,
  • M. R. Santos,
  • T. B. M. Silva,
  • M. A. Moreira Filho,
  • J. V. Costa,
  • F. C. Aquino

DOI
https://doi.org/10.17523/bia.2022.v79.e1510
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 79

Abstract

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In this study we aimed to evaluate the influence of environmental differences caused by day shifts on the physiological indicators of crossbred ½ Santa Inês × ½ Dorper sheep raised in a semi-intensive system. For this, 12 animals with an average weight of 35.00 ± 5.00 kg were allocated in a completely randomized design, with two treatments (morning shift and afternoon shift) and six replicates per treatment. The environmental variables (temperature (ºC) and relative humidity (%)) were collected using a digital thermo-hygrometer. The black globe temperature and humidity index was calculated using temperature values of the black globe thermometer and dew point. The following physiological indicators were measured in the animals: respiratory rate (mov/min); heart rate (beats/min); rectal temperature (ºC); and surface temperature (ºC). In the morning shift, the average values of air temperature and relative humidity were 31.71ºC and 88.66%, respectively. In the afternoon, the average air temperature was 33.91ºC, while the relative humidity was 62.66%. The highest mean globe temperature and humidity index was observed in the afternoon shift (87.75). The physiological indicators showed the highest mean values in the afternoon shift: respiratory rate 73.72 mov/min; heart rate 81.27 beats/min; rectal temperature 39.98ºC; surface temperature 34.76ºC. The crossbred 1„2 Santa Inês × 1„2 Dorper sheep reared in a semi-intensive system showed signs of thermal discomfort.

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