Melatonin modulates rectal and body surface temperatures and their circadian rhythmicity in donkeys (Equus asinus) subjected to packing during the hot-dry season.
Int J Biometeorol
; 67(2): 389-404, 2023 Feb.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36585985
ABSTRACT
The study aimed to evaluate the effects of melatonin administration on rectal and body surface temperature (RT and BST, respectively) responses and their circadian rhythmicity in donkeys subjected to packing (load carrying) during the hot-dry season. Twenty donkeys were divided into two equal groups randomly Groups 1 (packing + melatonin) and 2 (packing - melatonin), subjected to packing and both covered 20 km. The RT, BST, and thermal environmental parameters were measured before and after packing. The procedure was carried out three times within the week, one day apart. This was followed 16-h after the last (third) packing procedure by 27-h recording period of all the parameters at 3-h intervals. The RT (37.77 ± 0.1â) recorded in packing + melatonin donkeys was lower (P < 0.05) than in (packing - melatonin) (38.29 ± 0.1â) post-packing, while the BSTs in packing + melatonin donkeys were lower than in (packing - melatonin) donkeys, especially the neck (33.07 ± 0.6â vs 35.4 ± 0.7â, respectively) and coronary band (30.58 ± 0.5â vs 33.38 ± 0.7â, respectively) temperatures. In both groups 16-h post-packing, overall mean RT and BST values were not different, except the coronary band temperature (26.61 ± 0.8â) that was lower (P < 0.05) in packing + melatonin donkeys than (packing - melatonin) donkeys (28.78 ± 1.4â). Melatonin-exerted biphasic effects on circadian rhythms of RT and BSTs by reducing body temperatures during the photophase and increasing the values during the scotophase in pack donkeys. In conclusion, melatonin may enhance packing output in donkeys during the hot-dry season.
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Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Temperatura Corporal
/
Melatonina
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Biometeorol
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article