Abstract
Current analysis evaluated adaptive parameters and thermal comfort of postpartum ewes fed on concentrate supplementation in grazing system. Thirty lactating pluriparous sheep, 16 Santa Ines (SI) and 14 Morada Nova (MN) were used. Physiological parameters such as respiratory rate (RR), heart rate (HR) and rectal temperature (RT) were measured, in that order, with the animals at rest in the morning (6:00-7:00 am) and in the afternoon (1:00-2:00 pm), respectively, every seven days, with 10 samples. A significant effect (p < 0.05) for RR and HR was reported in the strain. Similar behavior was reported for RR between the breeds where MN sheep had high adaptability. Supplementation levels of 0.5 and 1.5% influenced (p < 0.05) RR which was stronger in the sheep that received the highest supplementation level, possibly due to calorie increase in the diet. However, HR and RT parameters did not differ within the breed due to supplementation. HR was higher between the breeds for SI sheep at 0.5%. Results show that concentrated supplementation affected the respiratory rate of ewes in the postpartum period, with higher calorie increment at 1.5% level and superiority for Santa Ines ewes. Greater adaptability of Morada Nova sheep has been indicated when fed on concentrated diet in grazing system.
Highlights
The cattle industry, especially the raising of small ruminants, is extremely important to the economy of the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil
respiratory rate (RR) was measured in breaths per minute through direct observation of the movements of left flank; heart rate (HR) was measured in beats per minute with a stethoscope placed between the third and fourth left inter-rib space; rectal temperature (RT) was registered with a clinical thermometer inserted directly into the rectum of the animals until the firing of the sounder
Results show that Morada Nova sheep have a greater adaptability than that of Santa Inês ewes when subjected to a concentrated food supplementation in grazing system during lactation
Summary
The cattle industry, especially the raising of small ruminants, is extremely important to the economy of the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil. Animal Sciences efficiency is achieved when the animals are under conditions of thermal comfort in which the triggering of thermoregulatory mechanisms is not required (SOUZA et al, 2005). In tropical regions, during most of the year, air temperature and other environmental parameters may cause stress on the animals which, using their thermoregulatory mechanisms, seek to adjust themselves by mainly increasing heat dissipation through skin and respiratory thermolysis (SILVA, 2000). The environments thermal limits, established as comforting or stressful, depend on the region and the animal types / breeds used in the farms production system (PERISSINOTTO et al, 2009). Coupled to adverse environmental factors which cause thermal stress on animals, food intake influences heat production in ruminants and the quantity and quality of food interfere with endogenous heat generation, leading to increased physiological parameters (BACCARI JÚNIOR, 2001). Current assay evaluates the adaptive parameters and thermal comfort of postpartum ewes fed on concentrate supplementation in grazing system
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