Effects of thermal environment on the physiology and behavior of water buffaloes

• Grant number: 11/11213-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: February 01, 2012
• End date: January 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Ecology of Domestic Animals and Ethology
• Principal Investigator: Evaldo Antonio Lencioni Titto
• Grantee: Evaldo Antonio Lencioni Titto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Ana Carina Alves Pereira de Mira Geraldo ; Cristiane Gonçalves Titto ; Reíssa Alves Vilela

Abstract

This study aim a comparative analysis, based on a temporal approach, of the thermoregulatory mechanisms in relation to different heat storages provided by different types of thermal environments (with and without solar radiation). Will be used 12 Mediterranean buffalo heifers that will submitted to five experimental phases during the summer of 2011 and 2012. The environmental parameters that will be recorded are: dry bulb temperature, relative humidity, global radiation, precipitation, wind speed and direction, and black globe temperature. The physiological parameters measured will be: rectal temperature, under tail temperature, skin temperature, hair coat surface temperature, respiratory rate and sweating rate. The behavioral parameters evaluated will be: posture (standing or lying), position (sun or shade / water) and activities (grazing, ruminating and idling). The statistical analysis will be conducted with the assistance of the Statistical Analysis System ©, version 9.1.3 (SAS, 1995), using univariate procedures, CORR, GLM and MIXED. The results of this study shoul reveal a better understanding of the thermoregulatory mechanisms of the water buffaloes in order to develop management practices, feeding and buildings of more appropriate. (AU)