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High systemic and testicular thermolytic efficiency during heat tolerance test reflects better semen quality in rams of tropical breeds

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Abstract

This study aimed to assess the capacity of Morada Nova (MN) and Santa Inês (SIN) rams to maintain body and testicular homeothermy under thermal challenge. For 5 days in the summer, 16 males (SIN = 7 and MN = 9) underwent a heat tolerance test, i.e., period 1—animals maintained in the shade (11 to 12 h); period 2—animals exposed to sunlight (12 to 13 h); and period 3—animals returned to the shade (13 to 14 h). The respiratory rate, heart rate, rectal temperature, and infrared surface temperatures (IRT) of the trunk, back, eyeball, and testicles were assessed in each period. The index of capacity of tolerance to insolation (ICTI), which indicates the animals’ level of adaptability, was calculated for each animal. Semen quality and testicular parenchyma integrity were assessed before and after the thermal challenge. Statistical analyses were performed at 5% significance. In period 1, the variables had baseline values for both genotypes. In period 2, the variables involved in thermolysis significantly increased (P < 0.05), which matches a thermal discomfort situation. In period 3, the variables returned to baseline values and some values were lower than those in period 1. Semen quality and testicular parenchyma integrity suffered no negative effects with the thermal challenge. IRT ocular and IRT testicular were positively correlated (P < 0.05). It is concluded that MN and SIN rams had efficient thermolytic mechanisms that favor preserving gonadal functionality. The animals were considered resilient to a thermal challenge. In addition, infrared thermography was an efficient tool to verify body and testicular thermoregulation.

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Acknowledgements

This project was financially supported by Embrapa-Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (BIOTEC Network—grant nos. 0113060010504 and 0113060010505), by the Federal University of Pará, and by CAPES-Brazilian Coordination for Enhancement of Higher Education.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Post graduate Program in Animal Science, Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Belem, PA, Brazil

    Priscila Reis Kahwage & Messy Hannear de Andrade Pantoja

  2. Embrapa Southeast Livestock (CPPSE), Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil

    Sérgio Novita Esteves, Manuel Antônio Chagas Jacinto, Waldomiro Barioni Junior, José Ricardo Macedo Pezzopane, Cristian Bosi, Kaue Mahlmeister & Alexandre Rossetto Garcia

  3. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Centro Universitário Central Paulista (UNICEP), Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil

    Maria Carolina Villani Miguel

  4. Laboratory of Biotechnology of Animal Reproduction, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation/Embrapa Southeast Livestock (CPPSE), Rod. Washington Luiz, km 234, Fazenda Canchim, Sao Carlos, SP, 13560-970, Brazil

    Alexandre Rossetto Garcia

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  1. Priscila Reis Kahwage
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  2. Sérgio Novita Esteves
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The experiment complies with the Brazilian current laws and all procedures performed were approved by the Committee on Experimental Animal Use and Ethics (Protocol CEUA-CPPSE #2106/2013).

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Kahwage, P.R., Esteves, S.N., Jacinto, M.A.C. et al. High systemic and testicular thermolytic efficiency during heat tolerance test reflects better semen quality in rams of tropical breeds. Int J Biometeorol 61, 1819–1829 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-017-1367-4

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