A preliminary note on the temperature of the scrotal skin of the bull and its relation to air, skin, and body temperature

Abstract

(1) The scrotal, skin, and body temperatures of a Sussex bull have been measured in the open during the period 7.1.41 to 27.3.41, at a range of air temperature of 26.4°F., i.e., from 64.8°F. to 91.2°F. (2) There was a significant difference between the temperatures of the three areas of the scrotum. (3) There was no significant difference between scrotal temperature measurements taken on that side of the body exposed to direct sun's rays and those taken of the opposite side. (4) There was a significant relation between scrotal temperature and air temperature. (5) The mean skin temperature readings, taken on an area on the flank from which the hair had been removed, were 98.6°F. in the sun and 96.7°F. in the shade. (6) There was a relation between the skin temperature and the air temperature; an increase of 1°F. of air temperature resulted in an increase of skin temperature of 0.28°F. in the sun and 0.31°F. in the shade. (7) There was a significant difference between the skin temperatures taken in the sun and in the shade. (8) The range of body temperature was too small, i.e., 101°F. to 103.5°F., to find a definite correlation between body and air temperature. The observations must be repeated at higher and lower atmospheric temperatures to establish such correlation. (9) There was a direct correlation between body and scrotal temperatures. (10) The correlation between body and skin temperature showed that for 1°F. increase in body temperature the skin temperature increased 2.01°F. in the sun and 2.6° F. in the shade.