Vaginal temperature as indicative of thermoregulatory response in Nellore heifers under different microclimatic conditions.

The objective was to evaluate vaginal temperature as a thermoregulatory response of Nellore heifers under different microclimatic conditions. The study was conducted during one year in an experimental area located at 54?370W, 20?270S, and 530 m of altitude in Brazil. Twenty-four Nellore females were reared in integrated crop-livestock-forestry systems with different shading patterns. The randomized complete block experimental design was utilized with a sub subdivided plots scheme, with plot corresponding to the production systems, the subplot to the season of the year, and the sub subplot, the hours of the day. To characterize the microclimate, data regarding air and black globe temperatures, and air relative humidity were collected and from them, temperature-humidity index was calculated. Vaginal temperature was obtained by using a bottom-type temperature logger (i-button) attached to an adapted intravaginal device. The black-globe temperature explained the variation on vaginal temperature. Increases on vaginal temperature were only observed, on average, two hours after the increase of black-globe temperature. The microclimatic conditions found in the systems, resulting from the various tree densities, modify the vaginal temperature in different degrees, demonstrating that the shading effect is not always accompanied by improvements in thermal comfort. The system with intermediate density showed a better microclimatic condition and, consequently, a lower increase in vaginal temperature. The interaction between air temperature, humidity and solar radiation resulted in adverse environmental conditions, however, Nellore heifers showed good adaptation to the environment. In conclusion, vaginal temperature is a good indicator to evaluate the thermoregulatory response in Nellore heifers.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	OLIVEIRA, C. C. de, ALVES, F. V., MARTINS, P. G. M. de A., KARVATTE JUNIOR, N., ALVES, G. F., ALMEIDA, R. G. de, MASTELARO, A. P., SILVA, E. V. da C. e
Other Authors:	Caroline Carvalho de Oliveira, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS; FABIANA VILLA ALVES, CNPGC; Paulo Gustavo Macedo de Almeida Martins, Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequrinhonha e Mucuri, Diamenatina, MG; Nivaldo Karvatte Junior, Universidade Federal de de Goiás, Faculdade de Veterinária e Ciência Animal, Goiânia; Geovani Ferreira Alves, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS; ROBERTO GIOLO DE ALMEIDA, CNPGC; Ariadne Pegoraro Mastelaro, Universidade Fe3deral do Paraná; Eliane Vianna da Costa e Silva, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS.
Format:	Artigo de periódico biblioteca
Language:	English eng
Published:	2020-01-08
Subjects:	Temperatura vaginal, Gado Nelore, Novilho Leiteiro,
Online Access:	http://www.alice.cnptia.embrapa.br/alice/handle/doc/1118337
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