Thermoregulation, water balance and plasma constituents in Sudanese desert sheep: responses to diet and solar radiation |
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Authors: | A. M. Abdelatif M. M. M. Ahmed |
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Abstract: | The responses of desert rams to diet composition (concentrate vs. lucerne hay) in unshaded and shaded environments were investigated. The rectal temperature was higher (p < 0·01) with the concentrate diet but only in the afternoon, whereas the respiration rate was higher (p < 0·01) with the concentrate diet in unshaded and shaded environments during both morning and afternoon. Dry matter intake (DMI) was higher (p < 0·05) with the concentrate diet, while the ratio of water intake to DMI was higher (p < 0·01) with lucerne hay. Water gain through preformed and metabolic avenues and water loss through faeces and evaporative avenues were higher (p < 0·01) with the concentrate diet. With both diets, water turnover rate was higher (p < 0·05) in the unshaded environment. Feeding lucerne hay increased plasma total protein (p < 0·01) and albumin (p < 0·05) in unshaded and shaded environments. Plasma urea was higher (p < 0·01) with the concentrate diet. Plasma glucose level and plasma osmalality were higher (p < 0.01) and level of free fatty acids was lower (p < 0·01) with the concentrate diet in both thermal environments. Plasma cholesterol level was higher (p < 0·05) with the concentrate diet in the shaded environment, but lower (p < 0·05) in the unshaded environment. With lucerne hay, plasma cholesterol level remained the same in both environments. |
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