Chronic heat stress in Iranian fat-tailed ram lambs: clinical and paraclinical parameters

Authors

1 Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

2 Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

3 Graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

4 Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The effect of heat stress on physiological
parameters has been well documented. However, there are
reports of a genetic based heat tolerance in some sheep breeds.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to monitor the
physiological responses of an Iranian fat-tailed breed against
heat stress and an acute stress insult. METHODS:Atotal number
of 15 fall-born ram lambs were selected and subjected to direct
summer solar radiation throughout the day (May 2009 to
February 2010). Ten lambs were semi-castrated in October to see
the physiologic response of animals to an acute stress. The
general parameter as well as blood chemistry and cortisol were
analyzed during the study. RESULTS: The results showed that all
physiologic parameters had significant changes; however, their
values were in normal range. The fact that the animals in the
present study experienced their first exposure of heat stress and
a significant increase in serum cortisol concentration in semicastrated
lambs in October, compared to the respected values in
the hottest months of the experiment, may indicate a genetic
based adaptability of the breed in Iran. CONCLUSIONS: The
present study shows the dynamic changes of general and
biochemical parameters in response to chronic heat stress and an
acute stress that raises a possible tolerance of the breed against
heat stress.

Keywords

Article Title [Persian]

استرس حرارتی مزمن در گوسفند دنبه دار ایرانی 1: پاارمترهای کلینیکی و پاارکلینیکی

Authors [Persian]

  • فرید براتی 1
  • محمد نوری 1
  • سعد گورانی نژآد 2
  • آناهیتا رضایی 2
  • بهروز میهن دوست 3
  • سید رضا فاطمی طباطبایی 4
1 گروه علوم درمانگاهی، دانشکده دامپزشکی، دانشگاه شهید چمزان، اهواز، ایران
Iranian Journal of Veterinary Medicine
Volume 8, Issue 3 - Serial Number 3
October 2014
Pages 199-205

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