Effect of Shearing for Improving the Thermoregulatory Responses of Crossbred Sheep During Heat Stress.

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 ha

SUBMITTER: Pulido-Rodriguez LF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12031516 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature