Impact of climate on thermal rhythm in pastoral sheep

Tim E. Lowe; Christian J. Cook; John R. Ingram; Phillip J. Harris

doi:10.1016/S0031-9384(01)00608-4

Impact of climate on thermal rhythm in pastoral sheep

Tim E. Lowe, Christian J. Cook, John R. Ingram, Phillip J. Harris

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

37 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The effects of environmental conditions on temperature rhythms were investigated in ewe lambs at pasture. Two groups of 20 lambs had heart rate (HR), vaginal temperature (T_v), ear-canal temperature (T_c) and ear-pinna temperature (T_p) monitored continuously for 3 days. Climatic conditions were recorded at the same time and Temperature Humidity Index (THI) calculated. One group experienced fine clear weather for the 3 days, the other group experienced 2 days of heavy rain. During periods of fine weather, the daily rhythm for T_v and T_c was monophasic. However, heavy rain and a constant THI reduced the amplitude of the recorded temperature rhythms. Daily T_v and T_c patterns correlated strongly with THI, with a phase lag of 2 h. Peak T_v and T_c were at approximately 17:00 h each day. Mean maximum daily amplitudes were approximately 1.3°C for T_v and T_c. Mean T_v was 39.3±0.1 and 39.6±0.1 for weeks 1 and 2, respectively, while mean T_c was 38.9±0.1 and 39.2±0.1. Changes in T_v and T_c were closely correlated. We conclude that climate has a major effect on body temperature rhythms.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	659-664
Number of pages	6
Journal	Physiology and Behavior
Volume	74
Issue number	4-5
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9384(01)00608-4
Publication status	Published - 2001
Externally published	Yes

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title = "Impact of climate on thermal rhythm in pastoral sheep",

abstract = "The effects of environmental conditions on temperature rhythms were investigated in ewe lambs at pasture. Two groups of 20 lambs had heart rate (HR), vaginal temperature (Tv), ear-canal temperature (Tc) and ear-pinna temperature (Tp) monitored continuously for 3 days. Climatic conditions were recorded at the same time and Temperature Humidity Index (THI) calculated. One group experienced fine clear weather for the 3 days, the other group experienced 2 days of heavy rain. During periods of fine weather, the daily rhythm for Tv and Tc was monophasic. However, heavy rain and a constant THI reduced the amplitude of the recorded temperature rhythms. Daily Tv and Tc patterns correlated strongly with THI, with a phase lag of 2 h. Peak Tv and Tc were at approximately 17:00 h each day. Mean maximum daily amplitudes were approximately 1.3°C for Tv and Tc. Mean Tv was 39.3±0.1 and 39.6±0.1 for weeks 1 and 2, respectively, while mean Tc was 38.9±0.1 and 39.2±0.1. Changes in Tv and Tc were closely correlated. We conclude that climate has a major effect on body temperature rhythms.",

keywords = "Climate, Data logger, Pastoral, Sheep, Temperature rhythm",

author = "Lowe, {Tim E.} and Cook, {Christian J.} and Ingram, {John R.} and Harris, {Phillip J.}",

year = "2001",

doi = "10.1016/S0031-9384(01)00608-4",

language = "English",

volume = "74",

pages = "659--664",

journal = "Physiology and Behavior",

issn = "0031-9384",

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T1 - Impact of climate on thermal rhythm in pastoral sheep

AU - Lowe, Tim E.

AU - Cook, Christian J.

AU - Ingram, John R.

AU - Harris, Phillip J.

PY - 2001

Y1 - 2001

N2 - The effects of environmental conditions on temperature rhythms were investigated in ewe lambs at pasture. Two groups of 20 lambs had heart rate (HR), vaginal temperature (Tv), ear-canal temperature (Tc) and ear-pinna temperature (Tp) monitored continuously for 3 days. Climatic conditions were recorded at the same time and Temperature Humidity Index (THI) calculated. One group experienced fine clear weather for the 3 days, the other group experienced 2 days of heavy rain. During periods of fine weather, the daily rhythm for Tv and Tc was monophasic. However, heavy rain and a constant THI reduced the amplitude of the recorded temperature rhythms. Daily Tv and Tc patterns correlated strongly with THI, with a phase lag of 2 h. Peak Tv and Tc were at approximately 17:00 h each day. Mean maximum daily amplitudes were approximately 1.3°C for Tv and Tc. Mean Tv was 39.3±0.1 and 39.6±0.1 for weeks 1 and 2, respectively, while mean Tc was 38.9±0.1 and 39.2±0.1. Changes in Tv and Tc were closely correlated. We conclude that climate has a major effect on body temperature rhythms.

AB - The effects of environmental conditions on temperature rhythms were investigated in ewe lambs at pasture. Two groups of 20 lambs had heart rate (HR), vaginal temperature (Tv), ear-canal temperature (Tc) and ear-pinna temperature (Tp) monitored continuously for 3 days. Climatic conditions were recorded at the same time and Temperature Humidity Index (THI) calculated. One group experienced fine clear weather for the 3 days, the other group experienced 2 days of heavy rain. During periods of fine weather, the daily rhythm for Tv and Tc was monophasic. However, heavy rain and a constant THI reduced the amplitude of the recorded temperature rhythms. Daily Tv and Tc patterns correlated strongly with THI, with a phase lag of 2 h. Peak Tv and Tc were at approximately 17:00 h each day. Mean maximum daily amplitudes were approximately 1.3°C for Tv and Tc. Mean Tv was 39.3±0.1 and 39.6±0.1 for weeks 1 and 2, respectively, while mean Tc was 38.9±0.1 and 39.2±0.1. Changes in Tv and Tc were closely correlated. We conclude that climate has a major effect on body temperature rhythms.

KW - Climate

KW - Data logger

KW - Pastoral

KW - Sheep

KW - Temperature rhythm

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VL - 74

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JO - Physiology and Behavior

JF - Physiology and Behavior

IS - 4-5

ER -

Impact of climate on thermal rhythm in pastoral sheep

Abstract

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