Changes of body temperatures of piglets as related to halothane sensitivity and treadmill exercise

Abstract

1. 1. Subcutaneous temperatures of homozygous halothane positive, homozygous halothane negative and heterozygous piglets were measured at five different body spots [abdomen, ear (left, right), neck (left, right)] under individual housing conditions and during a treadmill exercise. 2. 2. Statistically significant differences were observed in the levels, patterns and dynamics of subcutaneous temperature of the different genotypes, both at rest and during exercise. During the night subcutaneous temperatures were lowest for the positive homozygotes, but highest in this group after treadmill exercise. Subcutaneous temperatures of heterozygotes were equal to those of negative homozygotes during the night, but after exercise was equal to that of positive homozygotes. 3. 3. In the heterozygotes bucutaneous temperatures on the abdomen were higher than those of the base of the ears, with these being higher than those of the neck region.