Adaptive dynamics of indigenous sheep in Canary Islands, Spain: A machine learning approach.

The objective of the study was to characterize the adaptive profile of Ibero-American sheep of the Canaria breed, evaluating the possible changes in thermoregulatory responses and coat characteristics to which the animals are exposed in the different seasons of the year. Data collected over a period of 12 months were analyzed, with information being observed in the interval of 15 days of each month, in 23 adult ewes kept in an intensive breeding system. The rectal temperature (RT) of Canaria ewes was higher (P < 0.001) in the summer and spring seasons. In contrast, the respiratory rate (RR) of the animals was higher in autumn. The surface temperature (ST) of the herd was lower during the spring. It was observed that the hair length (HL) and the hair density (NH) did not vary during the seasons. However, the hair diameter (HD) and the coat thickness (CT) varied, being in the spring, the season in which the animals had the highest HD and autumn, the season in which they had the lowest. The performance was similar throughout the seasons (P > 0.05). The morphological variables of the coat presented 63.8% of original cases grouped, which may characterize the morphological responses of the coat of these animals as an important trait of the adaptive profile of the breed, whereas the opposite occurred for thermoregulatory responses. The variables most used by the herd and that were most important were autumn (CT, NH, HD, HR, RT, and HL), summer (ST and RR), spring (RR, ST, and RT), and winter (RT, HD, HR, and RR). Sheep of the Canaria breed have an adaptive profile that dynamically uses thermoregulatory and morphological responses, molding themselves according to climate changes resulting from seasonal periods on the Island of Tenerife, Spain. The Canaria sheep stood out for the modification of the morphological characteristics of the coat, especially during autumn and spring, and can be considered an excellent genetic resource with excellent adaptive characteristics for arid environments such as those found in the Canary Islands.

Thermoregulatory responses, heart rate, and the susceptibility to anxiety in obese animals subjected to stress.

Obesity and stress are related to cardiovascular diseases. Rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) show increased cardiovascular reactivity to emotional stress and altered defensive behavioral responses. Indeed, changes in thermoregulatory responses in an aversive environment are observed in these animals. However, studies aimed at clarifying the physiological mechanisms linking obesity, stress hyperreactivity and behavioral changes are needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in thermoregulatory responses, heart rate, and the susceptibility to anxiety in obese animals subjected to stress. Nine-week high-fat diet protocol was effective in inducing obesity by increasing weight gain, fat mass, adiposity index, white epididymal, retroperitoneal, inguinal and brown adipose tissue. Animals induced to obesity and subjected to stress (HFDS group) by the intruder animal method showed increases in heart rate (HR), core body temperature and tail temperature. HFDS showed an increase in the first exposure to the closed arm (anxiety-like behavior) in elevated T-Maze (ETM). The groups did not differ with respect to panic behavior assessed in the ETM and locomotor activity in the open field test. Our study shows that HFDS animals presented increased reactivity to stress with higher stress hyperthermia and anxious behavior. Thus, our results present relevant information regarding stress responsiveness and behavioral changes in obese animals.

Adaptive profile of dairy cows in a tropical region.

The objectives of this study were to determine the main variables which act in the adaptive profile and the dynamic of the thermoregulatory responses of Sindi and Girolando dairy cows in tropical conditions using multivariate analyses as the auxiliary method. Thirty dairy cows were evaluated, in which the data were collected monthly during 12 months. Rectal temperature (RT) and respiratory rate (RR) were measured twice a day (morning and afternoon), along with meteorological variables (air temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed), and later the Black Globe and Humidity Index and Radiant Heat Load were calculated. Blood samples were collected for estimating the levels of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), hemoglobin concentration (HC), red blood cells (RBC), packet cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), white blood cells (WBC), glucose (GLU), cholesterol (CHO), triglycerides (TRI), creatinine (CRE), total protein (TP), urea (URE), albumin (ALB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The more active variables in the adaptive profile for Sindi cows were T4, PCV, RBC, WBC, TRI, CRE, HC, T3, and URE, while PCV, RBC, ALB, TP, RT, RR, URE, ALT, and AST variables were more active for Girolando cows. All animals were classified according to their corresponding group when considering all variables under study. The classification error percentage was > 40% in the Sindi cows when the physiological responses were considered, whereas an 80% success rate was observed in Girolando cows in the winter and summer seasons. The physiological responses of the dairy cows are similar in winter and distinct in summer in tropical conditions.

Ingestive behavior and thermoregulation in sheep fed forage cactus silage undergoing intermittent water supply / Comportamento ingestivo e termorregulação em ovinos alimentados com silagem de palma forrageira submetidos a oferta intermitente de água

This study aimed to assess the effect of using forage cactus silage in the diet of sheep under intermittent water supply on its ingestive behavior and thermoregulation. We used in the experiment thirty-six intact male sheep of undefined genotype with an initial average weight of 19.8 ± 2.1 kg and age of approximately six months. The experimental design was a randomized block design in a 3 × 3 factorial scheme composed of three levels of forage cactus silage in the diet (0, 21, and 42%), three water supply periods (0, 24, and 48 hours), and four replications. For the ingestive behavior, observations were carried out every 5 minutes for 2 periods of 24 hours. Thermoregulatory responses were taken at 7:00 and 15:00 h on days other than those intended for ingestive behavior tests. Intermittent water supply did not affect any of the studied variables (P > 0.05). The use of forage cactus silage significantly influenced the ingestive behavior of animals (P < 0.05). Sheep fed forage cactus silage in the diet presented an average feeding efficiency of 255.77 g DM h−1 and an average rumination efficiency of 102.16 g DM h−1, while animals fed control diet showed values of 198.63 and 78.45 g DM h−1, respectively. Urinary frequency increased according to the levels of forage cactus silage in the diet, with 23.60 urination per day in animals fed diets with 42% of forage cactus silage and 10.83 urination per day in animals fed control diet. However, the search for water reduced, with averages of 2.73 and 0.54 per day for animals fed 0 and 42% forage cactus silage, respectively. The use of forage cactus silage also increased thermoregulatory responses of sheep, with an average respiratory rate of 103.35 mov. min−1 and heart rate of 140.08 mov. min−1 in the warmest period of the day (in the afternoon). Thus, sheep fed forage cactus silage increases its feeding and rumination efficiencies, decreases its search for water, and increases its thermoregulatory responses...(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da utilização de silagem de palma forrageira na dieta de ovinos submetidos a oferta intermitente de água sobre o comportamento ingestivo e a termorregulação de ovinos. Foram utilizados 36 ovinos machos não castrados sem padrão racial, com peso médio inicial de 19,8 + 2,1 kg e idade aproximada de seis meses, distribuídos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 3 x 3, composto por três proporções de silagem de palma na dieta (0; 21 e 42 %) e três períodos de oferta de água (0; 24 e 48 horas), com quatro repetições. Para o comportamento ingestivo foram realizadas observações a cada 5 minutos durante 2 períodos de 24 horas. As respostas termorregulatórias foram tomadas nos horários das 7 e 15 horas, em dias diferentes daqueles destinados ao comportamento. Observou-se que a oferta intermitente de água não afetou nenhuma das variáveis estudadas (P > 0,05). A utilização de silagem de palma influenciou significativamente o comportamento ingestivo dos animais (P < 0,05). Ovinos alimentados com silagem de palma forrageira na dieta apresentaram eficiência de alimentação média de 255,77 gMS h-1 e de ruminação de 102,16 gMS h-1, enquanto que aqueles que não recebiam esse alimento, apresentaram valores dessas variáveis de 198,63 e 78,45 gMS h-1, respectivamente. A frequência urinária dos animais se elevou conforme a proporção de silagem de palma na dieta, sendo observadas 23,60 micções dia-1 em animais que recebiam 42% e 10,83 micções dia-1 naqueles que não recebiam silagem de palma. A procura por água, entretanto, diminuiu. Foram observadas médias de 2,73 e 0,54 (nº dia-1) para animais alimentados com 0 e 42% de silagem de palma, respectivamente. A utilização da silagem de palma também elevou as respostas termorregulatórias dos ovinos. Ovinos alimentados com silagem de palma apresentaram média de frequência respiratória de 103,35 e cardíaca de 140,08 movimentos minuto-1 no período mais quente do dia (tarde)...(AU)

Ingestive behavior and thermoregulation in sheep fed forage cactus silage undergoing intermittent water supply / Comportamento ingestivo e termorregulação em ovinos alimentados com silagem de palma forrageira submetidos a oferta intermitente de água

This study aimed to assess the effect of using forage cactus silage in the diet of sheep under intermittent water supply on its ingestive behavior and thermoregulation. We used in the experiment thirty-six intact male sheep of undefined genotype with an initial average weight of 19.8 ± 2.1 kg and age of approximately six months. The experimental design was a randomized block design in a 3 × 3 factorial scheme composed of three levels of forage cactus silage in the diet (0, 21, and 42%), three water supply periods (0, 24, and 48 hours), and four replications. For the ingestive behavior, observations were carried out every 5 minutes for 2 periods of 24 hours. Thermoregulatory responses were taken at 7:00 and 15:00 h on days other than those intended for ingestive behavior tests. Intermittent water supply did not affect any of the studied variables (P > 0.05). The use of forage cactus silage significantly influenced the ingestive behavior of animals (P < 0.05). Sheep fed forage cactus silage in the diet presented an average feeding efficiency of 255.77 g DM h−1 and an average rumination efficiency of 102.16 g DM h−1, while animals fed control diet showed values of 198.63 and 78.45 g DM h−1, respectively. Urinary frequency increased according to the levels of forage cactus silage in the diet, with 23.60 urination per day in animals fed diets with 42% of forage cactus silage and 10.83 urination per day in animals fed control diet. However, the search for water reduced, with averages of 2.73 and 0.54 per day for animals fed 0 and 42% forage cactus silage, respectively. The use of forage cactus silage also increased thermoregulatory responses of sheep, with an average respiratory rate of 103.35 mov. min−1 and heart rate of 140.08 mov. min−1 in the warmest period of the day (in the afternoon). Thus, sheep fed forage cactus silage increases its feeding and rumination efficiencies, decreases its search for water, and increases its thermoregulatory responses...

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da utilização de silagem de palma forrageira na dieta de ovinos submetidos a oferta intermitente de água sobre o comportamento ingestivo e a termorregulação de ovinos. Foram utilizados 36 ovinos machos não castrados sem padrão racial, com peso médio inicial de 19,8 + 2,1 kg e idade aproximada de seis meses, distribuídos em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em esquema fatorial 3 x 3, composto por três proporções de silagem de palma na dieta (0; 21 e 42 %) e três períodos de oferta de água (0; 24 e 48 horas), com quatro repetições. Para o comportamento ingestivo foram realizadas observações a cada 5 minutos durante 2 períodos de 24 horas. As respostas termorregulatórias foram tomadas nos horários das 7 e 15 horas, em dias diferentes daqueles destinados ao comportamento. Observou-se que a oferta intermitente de água não afetou nenhuma das variáveis estudadas (P > 0,05). A utilização de silagem de palma influenciou significativamente o comportamento ingestivo dos animais (P < 0,05). Ovinos alimentados com silagem de palma forrageira na dieta apresentaram eficiência de alimentação média de 255,77 gMS h-1 e de ruminação de 102,16 gMS h-1, enquanto que aqueles que não recebiam esse alimento, apresentaram valores dessas variáveis de 198,63 e 78,45 gMS h-1, respectivamente. A frequência urinária dos animais se elevou conforme a proporção de silagem de palma na dieta, sendo observadas 23,60 micções dia-1 em animais que recebiam 42% e 10,83 micções dia-1 naqueles que não recebiam silagem de palma. A procura por água, entretanto, diminuiu. Foram observadas médias de 2,73 e 0,54 (nº dia-1) para animais alimentados com 0 e 42% de silagem de palma, respectivamente. A utilização da silagem de palma também elevou as respostas termorregulatórias dos ovinos. Ovinos alimentados com silagem de palma apresentaram média de frequência respiratória de 103,35 e cardíaca de 140,08 movimentos minuto-1 no período mais quente do dia (tarde)...

Thermoregulatory responses and blood parameters of locally adapted ewes under natural weather conditions of Brazilian semiarid region / Respostas termorregulatórias e parâmetros sanguíneos de ovelhas nativas brasileiras criadas na região semiárida brasileira

The effect of the natural weather conditions on respiratory rate, rectal temperature and hematologic parameters such as glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, total protein, albumin, globulin, red blood cells, microhematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels was evaluated in red (RMN) and white (WMN) coat colored Morada Nova ewes, of different class of body condition score (CBCS), during the dry (from july to december) and wet (from january to june) seasons, which exhibited different (P 0.05) air temperature, relative humidity and radiant thermal load averages. Tukeys test was used and the difference considered was to P 0.05. Significant greater averages of respiratory rate were observed in the dry period compared to the rainy period (42.26±8.96 and 36.89±8.20 breaths min-1, respectively), mainly in the RMN (45.54±8.23 breaths min-1) compared with the WMN (39.27±8.57 breaths min-1). No differences were observed in rectal temperature measurements between the dry and the wet periods (38.59±0.58 and 38.60±0.56 oC, respectively), but the WMN had higher values than the RMN (38.77±0.54 and 38.40±0.54 oC, respectively). The glucose and total cholesterol were higher in the wet season, with no variation due to breed variety and CBCS. The triacylglycerol did not change between breed varieties and seasons. The albumin was similar between varieties and in different seasons, being different in CBCS. Total protein and globulin serum were higher during the wet season, but total protein was higher and globulin was lower in better CBCS. T3 and T4 levels were higher in the rainy season (0.25±0.07 and 6.74±11.37 μg dL-1, for T3 and T4, respectively) than in the dry season (0.18±0.08 and 6.31±1.64 μg dL-1, for T3 and T4, respectively). The red blood cells showed no difference, but microhematocrit was higher in WMN and in the better CBCS and mean corpuscular volume was higher in the dry season.(AU)

Neste estudo foram avaliados os efeitos da época do ano nas características fisiológicas de frequência respiratória e temperatura retal e nos parâmetros hematológicos glicose, colesterol total, triglicerídeos, proteínas totais, albumina, globulina, contagem total de hemácias, hematócrito, volume corpuscular médio, triiodotironina (T3) e tiroxina (T4) em ovelhas da raça Morada Nova das variedades vermelha (RMN) e branca (WMN), de diferentes classes de escore corporal (CBCS), durante os períodos seco (de julho a dezembro) e chuvoso (de janeiro a junho), assim caracterizados por exibirem diferenças estatísticas (P<0,05) na temperatura do ar, umidade relativa e carga térmica radiante. Na análise estatística foi usado o teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade (P<0,05). Diferenças significativas foram encontradas na frequência respiratória durante os períodos seco e chuvoso, sendo maior na variedade vermelha do que na branca. Não foram verificadas diferença na temperatura retal dos animais entre os períodos seco e chuvoso, mas a variedade vermelha apresentou maiores médias desta variável. A glicose e o colesterol total sérico foram maiores no período chuvoso, não apresentando diferença significativa entre as variedades nem entre animais de diferentes condições corporais. A dosagem sanguínea de triglicerídeos não foi diferente para nenhuma das fontes de variação. A albumina foi estatisticamente semelhante entre as variedades da raça e durante os períodos seco e chuvoso do ano, apresentando diferença somente em relação à condição corporal dos animais CBCS. A dosagem sérica de proteína total e globulina foram maiores durante o inverno, mas a proteína total foi maior e a globulina foi menor em animais com melhor CBCS. Os níveis séricos de T3 e T4 foram maiores no período chuvoso do que no seco e a concentração de T3 nas ovelhas de pelagem vermelha, enquanto T4 não diferiu entre as variedades.(AU)

Thermoregulatory responses and blood parameters of locally adapted ewes under natural weather conditions of Brazilian semiarid region / Respostas termorregulatórias e parâmetros sanguíneos de ovelhas nativas brasileiras criadas na região semiárida brasileira

The effect of the natural weather conditions on respiratory rate, rectal temperature and hematologic parameters such as glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, total protein, albumin, globulin, red blood cells, microhematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) levels was evaluated in red (RMN) and white (WMN) coat colored Morada Nova ewes, of different class of body condition score (CBCS), during the dry (from july to december) and wet (from january to june) seasons, which exhibited different (P 0.05) air temperature, relative humidity and radiant thermal load averages. Tukeys test was used and the difference considered was to P 0.05. Significant greater averages of respiratory rate were observed in the dry period compared to the rainy period (42.26±8.96 and 36.89±8.20 breaths min-1, respectively), mainly in the RMN (45.54±8.23 breaths min-1) compared with the WMN (39.27±8.57 breaths min-1). No differences were observed in rectal temperature measurements between the dry and the wet periods (38.59±0.58 and 38.60±0.56 oC, respectively), but the WMN had higher values than the RMN (38.77±0.54 and 38.40±0.54 oC, respectively). The glucose and total cholesterol were higher in the wet season, with no variation due to breed variety and CBCS. The triacylglycerol did not change between breed varieties and seasons. The albumin was similar between varieties and in different seasons, being different in CBCS. Total protein and globulin serum were higher during the wet season, but total protein was higher and globulin was lower in better CBCS. T3 and T4 levels were higher in the rainy season (0.25±0.07 and 6.74±11.37 μg dL-1, for T3 and T4, respectively) than in the dry season (0.18±0.08 and 6.31±1.64 μg dL-1, for T3 and T4, respectively). The red blood cells showed no difference, but microhematocrit was higher in WMN and in the better CBCS and mean corpuscular volume was higher in the dry season.

Neste estudo foram avaliados os efeitos da época do ano nas características fisiológicas de frequência respiratória e temperatura retal e nos parâmetros hematológicos glicose, colesterol total, triglicerídeos, proteínas totais, albumina, globulina, contagem total de hemácias, hematócrito, volume corpuscular médio, triiodotironina (T3) e tiroxina (T4) em ovelhas da raça Morada Nova das variedades vermelha (RMN) e branca (WMN), de diferentes classes de escore corporal (CBCS), durante os períodos seco (de julho a dezembro) e chuvoso (de janeiro a junho), assim caracterizados por exibirem diferenças estatísticas (P<0,05) na temperatura do ar, umidade relativa e carga térmica radiante. Na análise estatística foi usado o teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade (P<0,05). Diferenças significativas foram encontradas na frequência respiratória durante os períodos seco e chuvoso, sendo maior na variedade vermelha do que na branca. Não foram verificadas diferença na temperatura retal dos animais entre os períodos seco e chuvoso, mas a variedade vermelha apresentou maiores médias desta variável. A glicose e o colesterol total sérico foram maiores no período chuvoso, não apresentando diferença significativa entre as variedades nem entre animais de diferentes condições corporais. A dosagem sanguínea de triglicerídeos não foi diferente para nenhuma das fontes de variação. A albumina foi estatisticamente semelhante entre as variedades da raça e durante os períodos seco e chuvoso do ano, apresentando diferença somente em relação à condição corporal dos animais CBCS. A dosagem sérica de proteína total e globulina foram maiores durante o inverno, mas a proteína total foi maior e a globulina foi menor em animais com melhor CBCS. Os níveis séricos de T3 e T4 foram maiores no período chuvoso do que no seco e a concentração de T3 nas ovelhas de pelagem vermelha, enquanto T4 não diferiu entre as variedades.