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Title: Effect of shade on summer body temperature and respiration rate of Angus, Brahman, and Romosinuano heifers

Author
item Chase, Chadwick - Chad
item WATERS, L - 6619-05-00
item DAVIS, J - 6619-05-00
item Riley, David
item Coleman, Samuel
item Carroll, Jeffery - Jeff Carroll
item OLSON, T - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

Submitted to: American Society of Animal Science Southern Section Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2009
Publication Date: 7/31/2009
Citation: Chase, C.C., Waters, L.J., Davis, J.R., Riley, D.G., Coleman, S.W., Carroll, J.A., Olson, T.A. 2009. Effect of shade on summer body temperature and respiration rate of Angus, Brahman, and Romosinuano heifers. American Society of Animal Science Southern Section Meeting. 87, E-Suppl. 3:1.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: To determine the effect of shade during summer in Florida on rectal temperature and respiration rate, a total of 24 heifers (8 Angus, 8 Brahman, and 8 Romosinuano) were utilized. Heifers were allotted by breed to one of two treatment groups, shade or no shade. Heifers were acclimated to treatments for 14 days, followed by sampling for 4 days. Heifers were then switched to the other treatment and sampling repeated. Rectal temperature was recorded using a rectal probe equipped with a hobo, and vaginal temperature was recorded using an Ibutton attached to a blank CIDR. Respiration rate was manually collected at 0800, 1300, and 1800 h. A simple correlation of 0.64 was obtained between rectal and vaginal temperatures. For analyses reported herin vaginal temperatures were analyzed at 0800, 1300,1800, and 2400 h. Treatment affected (P,0.05)vaginal temperature at 08001800,and 2400 h with mean temperatures 0.1 to 0.3°C higher for the shade treatment than the no shade treatment. A treatment x breed interaction influenced (P< 0.003)vaginal temperature at 1300 h with Angus in no shade (39.7°C)having a higher (P < 0.009) vaginal temperature than Angus in shade (39.3°C) while Brahman in shade (39.3°C) had a higher (P < 0.03) vaginal temperature than Brahman in no shade (39.1°C). Breed influenced (P < 0.001) respiration rate at all times with Angus >Romosinuano > Brahman. At 1300 h a breed x treatment interaction (P < 0.0001)indicated that respiration rates were greater fot the no shade treatment compared to the shade treatment for Angus and Romosinuano, but did not differ for Brahman. The use of near continuous monitoring of body temperature with minimal intrusion to the animal as used in this study is an important tool for environmental studies. These results are useful in understanding how Breed types and animals react to a hot and humid environment.