Effect of Shearing for Improving the Thermoregulatory Responses of Crossbred Sheep During Heat Stress.
| Title: | Effect of Shearing for Improving the Thermoregulatory Responses of Crossbred Sheep During Heat Stress. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Pulido-Rodríguez LF; Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Duque de Caxias Norte 225, Pirassununga, São Paulo 13635-900, SP, Brazil.; Dipartimento di Scienze delle Produzioni Agroalimentari e dell'Ambiente (DISPAA), University of Florence, 50144 Firenze, Italy.; Pereira AMF; Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Universidade de Évora, Pólo Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal.; Henrique FL; Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Duque de Caxias Norte 225, Pirassununga, São Paulo 13635-900, SP, Brazil.; Strefezzi RF; Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Duque de Caxias Norte 225, Pirassununga, São Paulo 13635-900, SP, Brazil.; Pantoja MHA; Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Duque de Caxias Norte 225, Pirassununga, São Paulo 13635-900, SP, Brazil.; Mota-Rojas D; Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Xochimilco Campus, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Mexico City 04960, Mexico.; Titto CG; Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Duque de Caxias Norte 225, Pirassununga, São Paulo 13635-900, SP, Brazil. |
| Source: | Veterinary sciences [Vet Sci] 2025 Apr 11; Vol. 12 (4). Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Apr 11. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: MDPI Country of Publication: Switzerland NLM ID: 101680127 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2306-7381 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 23067381 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Vet Sci Subsets: PubMed not MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: Basel : MDPI, [2014]- |
| Abstract: | Shearing to improve heat dissipation is common in sheep farming. This study evaluated the influence of shearing on thermoregulatory responses of crossbred sheep from adapted breeds exposed to heat stress. Ten ewes were kept in a climate chamber exposed to heat stress (10-13 h), reaching 37 ± 1.0 °C for nine days, during two consecutive periods, without shearing, and then at 14 days after shearing, evaluating all variables. Rectal temperature, respiration rate, sweating rate, ocular surface temperature, and skin temperature were analyzed at 7, 10, 13, 17, and 20 h, and blood cortisol was analyzed at 14 h on days 1, 5, and 9. Skin and sweat gland morphologies one time, on the last day. At 13 h, there was no difference in rectal temperature (p > 0.05); however, at 20 h, sheared ewes had higher values (p ≤ 0.05). Ocular surface temperature and skin temperatures were higher after shearing (p ≤ 0.05). At 13 h, both control and post-shearing groups presented a higher respiration rate (p > 0.05). Sweating rate was higher in unshorn animals (p ≤ 0.05). The glandular area was similar between treatments, and the sweat glands tended to be located more superficially. In conclusion, shearing crossbred ewes did not improve thermoregulatory responses when exposed to heat stress. In unshorn sheep, the homeothermy mechanisms are more efficient, ensuring a superior level of coping in tropical environments. |
| References: | J Anim Sci. 2011 Dec;89(12):4294-304. (PMID: 21788433); J Therm Biol. 2017 Oct;69:302-310. (PMID: 29037398); Res Vet Sci. 2014 Feb;96(1):220-6. (PMID: 24290729); Animals (Basel). 2021 Jun 10;11(6):. (PMID: 34200650); Int J Biometeorol. 2024 Feb;68(2):229-236. (PMID: 38012375); Animal. 2018 Dec;12(s2):s431-s444. (PMID: 30139399); J Dairy Sci. 2019 Feb;102(2):1712-1724. (PMID: 30580954); Vet Res Commun. 2013 Jun;37(2):91-9. (PMID: 23264091); Theriogenology. 2020 Oct 1;155:157-167. (PMID: 32679441); Trop Anim Health Prod. 2011 Jan;43(1):121-6. (PMID: 20680445); Small Rumin Res. 2000 May 1;36(2):99-102. (PMID: 10760446); Asian-Australas J Anim Sci. 2020 May;33(5):848-855. (PMID: 32054233); J Therm Biol. 2023 Apr;113:103503. (PMID: 37055122); Animal. 2010 Jul;4(7):1167-83. (PMID: 22444615); Physiol Behav. 2017 Feb 1;169:16-21. (PMID: 27864040); Int J Biometeorol. 2018 Dec;62(12):2257-2265. (PMID: 30368674); Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2011 Jan 01;16(1):74-104. (PMID: 21196160); J Therm Biol. 2019 Aug;84:83-91. (PMID: 31466794); J Therm Biol. 2023 Feb;112:103418. (PMID: 36796883); Trop Anim Health Prod. 2010 Dec;42(8):1821-8. (PMID: 20652407); J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med. 2003 Jun;50(5):235-40. (PMID: 14567509); Auton Neurosci. 2016 Apr;196:25-36. (PMID: 26830064); J Anim Sci. 2012 Jan;90(1):212-20. (PMID: 21841087); Auton Neurosci. 2016 Apr;196:91-104. (PMID: 26794588); Trop Anim Health Prod. 2011 Oct;43(7):1327-35. (PMID: 21505961); Int J Biometeorol. 2017 Jul;61(7):1221-1231. (PMID: 28091856); N Z Vet J. 1996 Aug;44(4):162-3. (PMID: 16031924); Int J Biometeorol. 2017 Jan;61(1):61-68. (PMID: 27225437); J Appl Physiol (1985). 2005 Mar;98(3):829-37. (PMID: 15489258) |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: heat stress; infrared thermography; shearing; sheep; sweat glands; thermoregulatory responses |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20250426 Latest Revision: 20250428 |
| Update Code: | 20260130 |
| PubMed Central ID: | PMC12031516 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/vetsci12040358 |
| PMID: | 40284860 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article