Sánchez-Rodríguez, Héctor L.

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    Efecto de la temperatura del aire, la radiación solar y el nivel de concentrado en la dieta sobre la temperatura vaginal bovina medida continuamente
    (2008) Sánchez-Rodríguez, Héctor L.; Custodio-González, Ángel A.; College of Agricultural Sciences; Santana Nieves, Carmen; Pantoja López, José; Latorre Acevedo, José R.; Department of Animal Science; López-Castro, Ignacio Pino
    Body temperature is an excellent indicator of the health and well being of the animals, but the methods available for measuring it may pose difficulties and may not suit certain research needs. The objectives of this research were to compare a method used to measure continuously vaginal temperature of cows with other methods under different environmental conditions or diets. The method used to measure vaginal temperature consisted of anchoring a data logger thermometer in the vagina of the cows by means of a CIDR device, originally designed for heat synchronization. In the first trial 39 lactating and dry dairy cows were exposed to sun for three hours and shade for the rest of the day. Vaginal, as well as rectal and skin temperatures of the head, neck, abdomen and thigh were measured for two days periods. In the second trial, 10 dry dairy cows, housed continuously under shade for three days periods, were fed two different diets (high or low concentrate feed level) in a single switch over design. Variables measured were vaginal temperature and temperature and relative humidity of the air. Exposure of the cows to solar radiation for 3 h increased both vaginal and rectal temperature by about half a degree Celsius (P<.0001). Skin temperatures increased more at sun exposure but continue to be lower (P<.0001) than rectal and vaginal temperatures. A significant interaction (P<.0001) between skin temperature measurements and changes in environmental conditions indicate that the differences among the different sites of skin temperatures differed before and after sun exposure. The differences between vaginal and rectal temperatures during the day were small (P>.05) and had a correlation close to 0.80 (P<.0001). Lower correlations were observed between core body temperatures (rectal and vaginal) and skin temperatures. In general, skin temperatures were not significantly different among them (P>.05) but the correlation values between them fluctuate greatly. The average vaginal temperature of the cows that received the high concentrate feed diet was higher (P<.0001) than those that received the low concentrate diet. The difference in vaginal temperature between diets was 0.09 ± 0.08°C during the period of 1200-1955 h, when the vaginal temperature was increasing, and 0.14 ± 0.05°C in the period of 2000-1155 h, when it was decreasing. The air temperature had a significant effect on the body temperature (P<.0001). By each one Celsius degree of increase in the air temperature, the vaginal temperature increased .23°C. By each Celsius degree of decrease in the air temperature, the vaginal temperature decreased .42°C. In conclusion, although the method tested of measuring vaginal temperature had 15 % thermometers expelled, it proved to be sensitive and convenient registering vaginal temperature continuously. Vaginal temperature is as good indicator of body temperature as rectal temperature. Skin temperature, although is not as reliable as the vaginal one, can provide different and useful information.