Characterizing the acute heat stress response in gilts: I. Thermoregulatory and production variables.

ABSTRACT: Identifying traits associated with susceptibility or tolerance to heat stress (HS) is a prerequisite for developing strategies to improve efficient pork production during the summer months. Study objectives were to determine the relationship between the thermoregulatory and production responses to acute HS in pigs. Prepubertal gilts (n = 235; 77.9 ± 1.2 kg BW) were exposed to a thermoneutral (TN) period (P1, 24 h; 21.9 ± 0.5 °C, 62 ± 13% RH; fed ad libitum) followed immediately by a subsequent acute HS period (P2, 24 h; 29.7 ± 1.3 °C, 49 ± 8% RH; fed ad libitum). Rectal temperature (TR), skin temperature (TS), and respiration rate (RR) were monitored and BW and feed intake (FI) were determined. All pigs had increased TR, TS, and RR (0.80 °C, 5.65 °C, and 61.2 bpm, respectively; P < 0.01) a

SUBMITTER: Seibert JT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6093585 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature