Physiological evaluation of heat stress in gestating sows under different housing systems in bedding and concrete floor

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The purpose of this paper was to observe the use of bedding (wood shavings) in physiological variables that indicate thermal stress in gestating sows. The experiment was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of two types of floor (concrete and wood shavings). Worse microclimatic conditions were observed in bedding systems (P<0.05), with an increase in temperature and enthalpy of 1.14 ºC and 2.37 kJ.kg dry air -1 , respectively. The floor temperature at the dirty area was higher in the bedding presence in comparison to its absence. In spite of the worse microclimatic conditions in the bedding, the rectal temperature did not differ significantly (P>0.05) but the skin surface temperature was higher in the bedding systems. The same occurred with the respiratory rates. The physical characteristics of the floor material influenced the rate of heat loss by conductance. Estimated values were 35.04 and 7.99 W m -2 for the conductive heat loss between the animal and floor for treatments with or without bedding, respectively. The use of bedding in sow rearing has a negative impact on microclimatic conditions, what implies in thermoregulatory damages. KEYWORDS:Swine, thermal regulation, zootechnical installations. AVALIAÇÃO FISIOLÓGICA DE ESTRESSE POR CALOR EM PORCAS GESTANTES SUBMETIDAS A DIFERENTES SISTEMAS DE ALOJAMENTO EM CAMA E EM PISO DE CONCRETORESUMO: Objetivou-se verificar o efeito do uso de cama de maravalha em aspectos bioclimáticos da criação de porcas gestantes. O experimento foi conduzido de forma a avaliar o efeito de dois tipos de piso (concreto e cama de maravalha). Piores condições climáticas foram observadas nos sistemas em cama de maravalha (P<0.05), com aumento da temperatura e da entalpia específica do ar em 1.14ºC e 2.37 kJ.kg ar seco -1 , respectivamente. A temperatura do piso na área suja foi maior na cama, em relação ao sistema sem cama. Apesar das piores condições microclimáticas em cama, a temperatura retal não diferiu significativamente (P>0.05), mas as temperaturas superficiais da pele foram maiores no sistema contendo cama. O mesmo ocorreu com a frequência respiratória. As características físicas dos materiais de piso influenciaram sobre a taxa de perda de calor por condução. Foram estimados valores de 35.04 e 7.99 W.m -2 para a perda de calor condutivo entre animal e piso para os tratamentos sem e com cama, respectivamente. A utilização de cama na criação de matrizes suínas impacta negativamente nas condições do microclima, o que reflete em prejuízos termorregulatórios evidenciados pelas variáveis fisiológicas avaliadas.

Physiological, biochemical and endocrine responses of goat kids maintained on two different floor types in hot-dry weather conditions

“…Suitable housing for goats is more desirable during the peak summer and winter as it protects animals from challenging environments. Types of housing affect different physiological and endocrine responses of farm animals during normal and stressful weather conditions (Nunes et al 2014). Floor type, among others, is an important housing feature that affects not only manure handling, but also dampness, greenhouse gas emission inside pen and overall health of the animals (Ahrens et al 2011, Cai et al 2015.…”