title: Study of circadian rhythmicity of physiological response and skin temperature of sheep during summer and winter in semi-arid tropical environment.
abstract: The present study aimed to evaluate the circadian rhythmicity of some physiological variables, including rectal temperature (RT), respiration rate (RR), heart rate (HR) and skin temperature (ST) in sheep during the summer and winter in semi-arid tropical environment. Eight Malpura rams of 3-4year of age with an average body weight of 37.1±1.99kg were selected for the study. All the animals were fed individually for a maintenance requirement on a body weight basis. The RT, RR, HR and ST values were measured in each animal at 3hour intervals for 24 consecutive hours. Ambient temperature (DBT) and relative humidity (RH) was also recorded inside the shed at the time of physiological parameter study. The cosinor analysis showed a daily circadian rhythm (P<0.01) in RR, HR and ST values during the summer and winter in sheep under semi-arid environment. The RR, HR and ST differ significantly (P<0.05) between summer and winter. The amplitude of RR, RT and ST differ significantly (P<0.05) between the seasons. The results indicate that the circadian rhythmicity of RR, HR, RT and ST during summer and winter changed as expected in compliance to the seasonal requirements of animal's adaptability.
authors.affiliation: Division of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, Rajasthan 304501, India. Electronic address: Kalyan.De@icar.gov.in.
authors.forename: Kalyan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: De
authors.affiliation: Division of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, Rajasthan 304501, India.
authors.forename: Davendra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Division of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, Rajasthan 304501, India.
authors.forename: Vijay Kumar
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Saxena
authors.affiliation: Division of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, ICAR-Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, Rajasthan 304501, India.
authors.forename: Syed Mohammed Khursheed
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Naqvi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D012119:Respiration; D012621:Seasons; D012756:Sheep; D012881:Skin Temperature / Q000502:physiology*; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature
keywords: Circadian rhythm; Ovis aris; Physiological response; Season; Semi-arid; Skin temperature