Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Body temperature responses of Savanna Brown goat to the harmattan and hot-dry season

  • Published:
International Journal of Biometeorology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Rectal and vaginal temperature responses of the Savanna Brown goat indigenous to the Nigerian guinea savanna were determined during the harmattan and the hot-dry season. Measurements were made at 06:00h and at 14:00h after 8h exposure to field conditions. At the 06:00h measurements during the harmattan, all animals were observed to shiver. A significant (P<0.01) positive correlation was found between rectal (Tre) and vaginal temperatures. During the harmattan, mean Tre was 38.2‡C at 06:00h and 39.7‡C at 14:00h; the mean difference, δTre was 1.5‡C. During the hot-dry season, Tre at 06:00h was 38.1‡C, and at 14:00h, 38.7; δTre was 0.6‡C. It is concluded that the harmattan is thermally more stressful than the hot-dry season and that passive thermolability may not be an important mechanism in the Savanna Brown goat in adaptation to thermal stress.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • ADEMOSUN, A. A. (1973): The development of the livestock industry in Nigeria-Ruminants.Proc. Agric. Soc. Niger., 10: 13–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • ADU, I. F., BUVANENDRAN, V., and LAKPINI, C. A. M. (1979): The reproductive performance of the Red Sokoto goat of Nigeria.J. agr. Sci. (Camb.), 93: 563–567.

    Google Scholar 

  • APPLEMAN, R. D. and DELOUCHE, J. C. (1958): Behavioural, physiological and biochemical responses of goats to temperature.J. anim. Sci., 17: 326–335.

    Google Scholar 

  • ARMITAGE, P. (1971): Statistical Methods in Medical Research. Blackwell, Oxford, 99–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • ATTAH, M. Y. (1977): Water Metabolism in Indigenous Cattle, Sheep and Goats in Nigeria, Ahmadu Bello University, Ph.D. Thesis, 179 pp.

  • BIANCA, W. (1976): The significance of meteorology in animal production.Int. J. Biometeor., 20: 139–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BIANCA, W. and KUNZ, P. (1978): Physiological reactions of three breeds of goats to cold, heat and high altitude.Livest. Prod. Sci., 5: 57–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BLIGH, J. (1970): Species differences in the tolerance of meteorological stress due to differences in function of organisms. In: Biometeorology 4, Part 1, 149–156, Suppl. vol. 14 Int. J. Biometeor.

  • BLIGH, J., INGRAM, D. L., KEYNES, R. D., and ROBINSON, S. G. (1965): The deep body temperature of an unrestrained Welsh Mountain sheep recorded by a radiotelemetric technique during a 12-month period.J. Physiol. (Lond.), 176: 136–144.

    Google Scholar 

  • EYAL, E. (1963): Shorn and unshorn Awassi sheep. I. Body temperature.J. agr. Sci. (Camb.)., 60: 159–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • IGONO, M. O. and ALIU, Y. O. (1982): Environmental profile and milk production of Friesian-Zebu crosses in Nigerian Guinea Savanna.Int. J. Biometeor., 26: 115–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • JOHNSON, K. G. (1971): Body temperature lability in sheep and goats during short-term exposure to heat and cold.J. agr. Sci. (Camb.), 77: 267–272.

    Google Scholar 

  • MOLOKWU, E. C. I. and IGONO, M. O. (1978): Reproductive performance and pattern in the Brown goat of Nigerian Savanna Zone.Proc. 4th Wld. Conf. Anim. Prod. 2: 578–590.

    Google Scholar 

  • QUARTERMAIN, A. R. and BROADBENT, M. P. (1974): Some patterns of responses to climate by the Zambian goat.E. Afri. Agric. For. J., 40: 115–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • SCHOEN, A. (1968): Studies on the water-balance of the East African goat.E. Afri. Agric. For. J., 34: 256–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • SHANKLIN, M. D., HAN, G. L., JOHNSON, H. D., and BROWN, W. H. (1967): Rate of rectal temperature rise as indicator of heat sensitivity. In: Biometeorology 3, p. 245, Suppl. vol. 11, Int. J. Biometeor.

  • VAN RAAY, H. G. T. and DE LEEUW, P. N. (1974): Fodder resources and grazing management in a Savanna environment: ecosystem approach.Occasional Papers, No. 45. 31 pp. Institute of Social Studies, the Hague, Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • YOUSEF, M. K. (1976): Thermoregulation in wild ungulates. In:Progress in Animal Biometeorology. H. D. Johnson (ed). Vol. 1. Part 1 108–122. Swets and Zeitlinger, Amsterdam.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. M. O. Igono

    Present address: , 1205 University Ave # 305, 65201, Columbia, Missouri, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria

    Y. O. Aliu

Authors
  1. M. O. Igono
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. C. I. Molokwu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Y. O. Aliu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Igono, M.O., Molokwu, E.C.I. & Aliu, Y.O. Body temperature responses of Savanna Brown goat to the harmattan and hot-dry season. Int J Biometeorol 26, 225–230 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02184938

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02184938

Keywords

Search

Navigation