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Factors affecting resistance to induced body cooling in newborn lambs of 10 breeds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

Deborah E. Samson  and
J. Slee
Deborah E. Samson
Affiliation:
ARC Animal Breeding Research Organisation, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 SJQ
J. Slee
Affiliation:
ARC Animal Breeding Research Organisation, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 SJQ
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Abstract

1. The ability to resist hypothermia was measured in 265 lambs of 10 breeds immersed in a progressively cooling water bath.

2. Cold resistance varied significantly between breeds, with hill lambs showing the highest resistance. Hill breeds and feral breeds together had the highest weight-specific cold resistance.

3. Cold resistance was positively correlated with birth weight and skinfold thickness.

4. Age at test varying from 1 to 60 h did not significantly affect cold resistance.

5. Rate of recovery from hypothermia varied slightly between breeds. The feral lambs tended to recover fastest.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 33 , Issue 1 , August 1981 , pp. 59 - 65
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1981

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References

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