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Journal of equine science2014; 25(1); 1-6; doi: 10.1294/jes.25.1

Diurnal and seasonal fluctuations in rectal temperature, respiration and heart rate of pack donkeys in a tropical savannah zone.

Abstract: The study was designed to determine diurnal and seasonal changes in basic physiologic responses of donkeys adapted to the tropical Savannah. The rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR) and heart rate (HR) of six male Nubian pack donkeys, and the dry-bulb temperature (DBT), relative humidity and heat index of the experimental site were concurrently recorded hourly, from 06:00 h to 18:00 h (GMT +1), for three days, spread 1 week apart, during the cold-dry (harmattan), hot-dry and humid (rainy) seasons, in an open grazing field. Values of the physiologic parameters recorded during the morning (06:00 h-11:00 h) were lower (P<0.001) than those obtained in the afternoon (12:00 h-15:00 h) and evening (16:00 h-18:00 h) hours in all seasons, but the robustness of the diurnal rhythm differed (P<0.05) between seasons. Many diurnal hourly DBT mean values recorded during the harmattan and hot-dry seasons fell outside the established thermoneutral zone for tropically-adapted donkeys, while those obtained during the rainy season were within the zone, indicating that the dry seasons were more thermally stressful to the donkeys than the humid season. Overall mean RT dropped (P<0.05) during the harmattan season. The RR rose, while HR dropped (P<0.001) during the hot-dry season. In conclusion, daytime and season had profound influence on RT, RR and HR of the donkeys, therefore, diurnal and seasonal variations should be taken into account during clinical evaluation before reaching conclusion on health status and fitness for work in donkeys.
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Publication Date: 2014-04-22 PubMed ID: 24834007PubMed Central: PMC4019199DOI: 10.1294/jes.25.1Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the seasonal and daily variations in fundamental physiological responses of pack donkeys in a tropical savannah environment, including rectal temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate. The study also highlights the importance of considering these variations when evaluating the health status and work fitness of these animals.

Methods of the Study

  • The study was conducted on six male Nubian pack donkeys in a tropical Savannah environment.
  • The physiological parameters such as rectal temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate were recorded hourly.
  • The experiment site’s dry-bulb temperature, relative humidity, and heat index were also noted.
  • The recording was done from 06:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs (GMT +1) for three days across three distinct seasons: the cold-dry (harmattan), hot-dry, and humid (rainy) seasons.
  • All recordings were performed in an open grazing field scenario.

Findings of the Study

  • In all seasons, the physiological parameters recorded during the morning (06:00 h-11:00 h) were significantly lower than those recorded in the afternoon (12:00 h-15:00 h) and evening (16:00 h-18:00 h).
  • However, the strength of this diurnal rhythm varied between seasons.
  • During the harmattan and hot-dry seasons, many of the average hourly dry-bulb temperatures fell outside the established thermoneutral zone for tropically adapted donkeys, indicating these dry seasons were more thermally stressful for the donkeys.
  • Contrarily, during the rainy season, the temperatures were within the thermoneutral zone, thus were less stressful for the donkeys.
  • Overall, the mean rectal temperature dropped during the harmattan season. The respiratory rate increased, while the heart rate dropped during the hot-dry season.

Conclusion of the Study

  • The day time and season had a significant influence on the rectal temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate of the donkeys.
  • [This implies that] during clinical evaluation of donkeys, both diurnal and seasonal variations should be considered before reaching conclusions about their health status and work fitness.

Cite This Article

APA
Ayo JO, Dzenda T, Olaifa F, Ake SA, Sani I. (2014). Diurnal and seasonal fluctuations in rectal temperature, respiration and heart rate of pack donkeys in a tropical savannah zone. J Equine Sci, 25(1), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1294/jes.25.1

Publication

Journal of equine science
ISSN: 1340-3516
NlmUniqueID: 9503751
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 25
Issue: 1
Pages: 1-6

Researcher Affiliations

Ayo, Joseph O
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 800007, Nigeria.
Dzenda, Tavershima
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 800007, Nigeria.
Olaifa, Folashade
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 800007, Nigeria.
Ake, Stephen A
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 800007, Nigeria.
Sani, Ismaila
  • Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 800007, Nigeria.

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Citations

This article has been cited 14 times.
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