Abstract
BackgroundThe transition to pulmonary respiration and the termination of foetal cardiovascular shunts is expected to commence immediately after birth. Subsequently, alveolar ventilation and tissue perfusion must be established, despite the challenge of extra-uterine environmental conditions, which could be quite demanding, even to the adult animals. The current study evaluated neonatal adjustment and diurnally induced changes in respiratory and pulse rates in kids of Red Sokoto, Sahel and West African Dwarf (WAD) goats in a tropical climate.ResultsMorning and afternoon respiratory rates started decreasing (P < 0.05) in the second week of birth. The pulse rate in the morning hours rose (P < 0.05) on Day 1 with no significant fluctuation subsequently, while the pattern in the afternoon hours showed a progressive decrease (P < 0.05) after birth. Apart from the day of birth, respiratory rate on other days increased significantly from morning to afternoon hours. The afternoon pulse rate was higher (P < 0.05) on the day of birth, but lower (P < 0.05) on Day 2 as compared to the morning values; and no diurnal difference was observed in subsequent days. The WAD goats had significantly higher respiratory and pulse rates than Red Sokoto and Sahel kids, especially in the afternoon hours. Similarly, the values were higher (P < 0.05) in doelings than buck-kids during the morning hours. The correlation between respiratory and pulse rates was positive (P < 0.05) and the strength of the association increased with age.ConclusionIt was concluded that the afternoon rise in ambient temperature induced the establishment of a clear diurnal variation in respiratory rate 24 h postnatal, while the diurnal variation in pulse rate was weak and irregular. The tropical climate may be quite challenging to the attainment of physiological stability in respiratory and cardiovascular functions of neonatal goat kids, especially during the hot season.
Highlights
The transition to pulmonary respiration and the termination of foetal cardiovascular shunts is expected to commence immediately after birth
The ambient temperature and temperature humidity index (THI) significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the afternoon hours, whereas the relative humidity decreased in the afternoon hours
The respiratory rate remained relatively stable after birth until Day 10 or 20, when the decrease was observed in most groups in both morning and afternoon hours; though in the afternoon hours, a rise on Day 8 was observed before the subsequent decrease
Summary
The transition to pulmonary respiration and the termination of foetal cardiovascular shunts is expected to commence immediately after birth. For the neonatal livestock to remain viable after birth, tissue oxygenation must be maintained through establishment of alveolar ventilation as well as central and Habibu et al Bull Natl Res Cent (2021) 45:188 peripheral circulation (Dwyer et al 2015; Hutchon 2015). This is despite exposure to the novel environmental conditions, which is different from the highly controlled intra-uterine environment and is sometime difficult even to the adult animals (Piccione et al 2007; Habibu et al 2016). In tropical regions like Nigeria, ambient temperature seems to have the greatest influence on diurnal biological rhythm, as the tropical photoperiod has minimal or no physiological effect, due to the small amplitude or relatively stable photoperiod (approximately one hour) from one season to the other (Habibu 2015)
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