Are there differences in the adaptive profile of hair sheep and their crosses with wool breeds?

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the physiological performance of different genetic groups of sheep, by physiological variables and serum hormone levels, in a hot weather environment. Thirty sheep from five genetic groups were used: Santa In & ecirc;s (SI), 1/2 Dorper + 1/2 Santa In & ecirc;s (DO), 1/2 Il & ecirc; de France + 1/2 Santa In & ecirc;s (IF), 1/2 Suffolk + 1/2 Santa In & ecirc;s (SK), and 1/2 Texel + 1/2 Santa In & ecirc;s (TX). The readings and records of physiological parameters (respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), auricular cavity temperature (ACT), and surface temperature (ST)) were carried out at 7:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 7:00 pm, in 12 non-consecutive days. The collections of blood samples for hormone analysis (triiodothyronine (T-3), thyroxine (T-4), and cortisol (CORT)) is in four consecutive days. The environmental conditions of the experimental period caused a thermal discomfort in the sheep, but not a state of thermal stress. The thermolysis mechanisms, sensitive (ST and ACT) and latent (RR) processes, were enough to maintain their homeostasis (RT). The results showed that crossbred breeds presented a higher metabolism and were more efficient at dissipating heat through thermolysis than the SI breed. The crossbred breeds were efficient at dissipating heat through the elevation of body surface temperature and respiratory rate, mainly SK and TX, i.e., crossbred breeds, despite the wool cover, used thermoregulatory mechanisms that promoted lower variation of RT. The analysis of variance showed significant effects (P < 0.05) to the time factor in the responses of T-4 and T-3, and to the breed factor in the responses of CORT, T-4, and T-3. We did not observe interaction between the factors to any of the hormonal variables. Therefore, we can state that the effect of time was independent of breed and vice versa. Thyroid hormones presented lower blood concentration in the mornings (4.03 +/- 0.82, T-4; 65.08 +/- 10.6, T-3), increasing their concentration in the afternoon (4.60 +/- 1.03, T-4; 70.16 +/- 14.17, T-3). The thyroid hormones presented a normal circadian rhythm, with the exception of SK. Air temperature (AT) showed greater correlation with physiological variables than enthalpy (H) did, in the experimental conditions. However, H showed correlation with T-4 and T-3. The adaptive profile of the genetic groups under study are different, but the IF genetic group showed better performance under environmental conditions.

Automated summary

This study evaluated and compared the physiological performance of different genetic groups of sheep in a hot weather environment. The results showed that crossbred breeds had a higher metabolism and were more efficient at dissipating heat through thermolysis. Thyroid hormones displayed a normal circadian rhythm, with the exception of one genetic group. The environmental factors had minimal impact on the hormone levels.