Abstract:
In this century, climate change is one of the major
problems affecting livestock productivity. This study aimed at
evaluating the effect of body coat color pattern and sex on heat
regulation and heat stress tolerance in indigenous goat breeds
exposed to solar radiation. In the experiment, 4 bucks and 4
does (8 to 9 months age) with black, white, grey and brown
coat color were selected and exposed to solar radiation during
12 days during the summer period. Water and feed were
served add libitum. The consumption were measured daily at
17:00 for each animal. Rectal temperature (RT) and rate pulse
(PR) were measured three-time (7:00, 12:00, and 17:00) every
day on each animal during the experimental period. At the end
of the experiment, blood samples were collected from the
jugular vein and immediately delivered to the lab to determine
biochemical (serum protein: albumin and globulin), and
hematological parameters. Exposing goats to temperature
variation affected the physiological, hematological as well as
biochemical parameters in all subjects. The female with a
black body coat color was mostly affected. The heat stress
induced an increase of RT and PR, an increase in water consumption while depression in food intake was observed.
Blood platelets, hematocrits, red cell distribution, white blood
cell and albumin were damaged in goats with black coat color
compared to goats with white coat color. These variations in
physiological, hematological and biochemical parameters in
female black goat could affect its productive and reproductive
performances in high-temperature environments.
