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Effect of high temperature on physiological parameters of Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) and Caracu (Bos taurus taurus) cattle breeds

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Abstract

The climate-related problems that affect animal production in tropical countries have encouraged seeking solutions to increase herd productivity and one alternative is the use of breeds adapted to high-temperature environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of temperature on 77 Caracu and Nelore males submitted to three different environments: morning period (8:00 to 10:00 AM), afternoon in the sun, and afternoon in a shaded environment (11:00 AM to 1:00 PM). The following physiological parameters were measured in each treatment: heart and respiration rates, rectal and dorsal surface temperatures, and cortisol level. The data were analyzed with the MIXED procedure (SAS) and the model included the fixed effects of treatment (morning, sun, and shade), breed (Nelore and Caracu), month of measurement (December and February), and the interaction between effects. A higher dorsal surface temperature was observed in animals of both breeds in the sun treatment compared with the shade treatment. Caracu animals had a higher dorsal surface temperature than Nelore animals, which probably caused the higher rectal temperature observed in the sun treatment compared with the shade treatment in both breeds over the 2 months of the study. All physiological parameters measured in this study were efficient to detect the thermal stress in both breeds. Despite the variations in rectal temperature observed during the treatments, the animals of the two breeds exhibited no significant changes in heart rate, respiration rate, and cortisol level for the maintenance of thermal homeostasis. In conclusion, both breeds were considered tolerant to sun exposure, demonstrating adaptation of these animals to high-temperature environments, without evidence of harm to its health and welfare.

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Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, Brazil, grant #2016/19222-1) and National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq, Brazil, grant #409485/2018-7) for providing the financial support to conduct the research. B.V. Pires and S.B.G.P.N.P. Lima received fellowships from CNPq and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES, Brazil, Finance Code 001), respectively. N.B. Stafuzza received grants from FAPESP (#2018/19216-7 and #2019/10438-0). J.A. Negrão and C.C.P. Paz were supported by productivity research fellowship from CNPq.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beef Cattle Research Center, Animal Science Institute, Sertãozinho, SP, 14160-900, Brazil

    Sergio B. G. P. N. P. Lima, Nedenia Bonvino Stafuzza, Sarah F. M. Bonilha, Joslaine N. S. G. Cyrillo & Claudia C. P. Paz

  2. Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School (FMRP), University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, 140349-900, Brazil

    Bianca V. Pires & Claudia C. P. Paz

  3. Department of Animal Sciences, College of Animals Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo (FZEA/USP), Pirassununga, SP, 13630-000, Brazil

    João A. Negrão

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  1. Sergio B. G. P. N. P. Lima
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Correspondence to Nedenia Bonvino Stafuzza.

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All applicable institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. All procedures performed in studies involving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution or practice at which the studies were conducted (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee CEUA no. 237-16).

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Lima, S.B.G.P.N.P., Stafuzza, N.B., Pires, B.V. et al. Effect of high temperature on physiological parameters of Nelore (Bos taurus indicus) and Caracu (Bos taurus taurus) cattle breeds. Trop Anim Health Prod 52, 2233–2241 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02249-y

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