Thermoregulatory and Physiological Responses of Najdi Sheep Exposed
to Environmental Heat Load Prevailing in
Saudi Arabia
A. A. Al-Haidary, R. S. Aljumaah, M. A. Alshaikh, K. A. Abdoun*,
E. M. Samara,
A. B. Okab and M. M. Alfuraiji
Department of Animal Production, College of Food and Agriculture
Sciences, King Saud University, PO Box 2460; Riyadh 11451, Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia
*Corresponding author:
abdounn@yahoo.com,
kabdoun@ksu.edu.sa
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the thermoregulatory and
physiological responses of Najdi rams raised under hot summer conditions
prevailing in Kingdom Saudi Arabia. The core temperature (Tcore)
showed circadian rhythm characterized by biphasic achrophases, which were
associated with the feeding times during both seasons. Average daily Tcore
was significantly (P<0.05)
higher under hot summer conditions. However, the amplitudes of the rhythmic
oscillation during winter and summer seasons were 0.85 and 0.56o
C, respectively. Rectal (Tre) and skin temperatures (Tsk)
were significantly (P<0.05)
higher under hot summer conditions and exhibited similar
patterns
during both seasons concurrent with the pattern of temperature humidity index
(THI), reaching the maximum values late in the afternoon and the minimum values
early in the morning. Respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) showed the same
pattern of the thermal parameters and were significantly (P<0.05)
higher under hot summer conditions. Serum concentrations of total protein,
globulin, glucose, sodium and chloride were significantly (P<0.05)
increased while those of albumin and calcium were decreased under hot summer
conditions. The results obtained from this study indicate that hot summer
conditions of Saudi Arabia
is thermally stressful to Najdi rams. Therefore, Najdi sheep production under
such conditions would require environmental and/or nutritional modification to
alleviate the impact of heat stress.