Effect of Solar Radiation and air Temperature on Methane Emissions as Associated to Production and Heat Loss in Sheep

• Grant number: 11/05478-0
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Effective date (Start): March 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): May 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Ecology of Domestic Animals and Ethology
• Principal Investigator: Alex Sandro Campos Maia
• Grantee: Rosiane Batista da Silva
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias (FCAV). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Jaboticabal. Jaboticabal , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Most studies on the metabolic heat production did not say anything about its correlation with the amount of CH4 and water vapor released into the respiratory system, much less relate these variables with the conditions of the thermal environment. It is important to mention that these works is not say anything about the presence of CH4 in their assessments and were mostly conducted in a temperate environment and under artificial conditions inside chambers, in which the air temperature, humidity and wind were easily controlled with protected animals solar radiation. However, the natural environment where the animals live is usually much more complex and it factors as wind, solar radiation, temperature and humidity change continuously and can cause significant changes in metabolism and CH4 emission intensity. Within this context scientific research to develop methodologies that measure and adjust the amount of CH4 released in the respiratory system become important in order to measure the relative importance of this issue. But that will be relevant if that CH4 is measured simultaneously with the amount of metabolic heat produced in accordance with your food, making it possible relationship between diet and conditions of the thermal environment with weight gain. Finally, it is important to note the lack of research in Brazil for this purpose to study the intimate relationship between metabolism, CH4, latent heat and global warming. In this first study will be used sheep and may subsequently be extended to cattle and goats.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

SILVA, Rosiane Batista da. Efeito do ambiente nas variáveis fisiológicas e na emissão de metano associado à produção e à perda de calor em ovinos. 2013. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias..