Body Temperature and Respiration Rate, and Their Relation to Adaptability in Sheep

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Abstract
Body temp. and respiration rate detns. were made on 7 breed groups of sheep during the summers of 1943 and 1944. The work was done at the A & M College of Texas in an attempt to learn the relation between thermoregulatory efficiency and adaptability of various breeds and crossbreeds. Purebreds studied included Southdown, Hampshire, Delaine Merino, and Rambouillet; crossbreeds studied were Southdown X Rambouillet, Dorset X Rambouillet and Suffolk X Rambouillet. Body temp. and respiration rate in purebred groups were influenced more by atmospheric temp. changes than in the crossbred groups. With few exceptions, Southdown and Hampshire groups in that order showed the highest body temp. and respiration rate at all hrs. of the day. Merinos showed the lowest body temp. and respiration rate, and the least daily fluctuation among the purebred groups. Suffolk X Rambouillet ewes maintained the lowest respiration rate of all groups at all times and were least affected by atmospheric temp. changes. They also maintained a low and relatively constant body temp. Breeding, growth and health records of the various breed groups in the College flock are in close agreement with their efficiency of heat disposal as measured by these observations.

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