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Effects of experimentally produced local subdermal temperature changes on skin temperature and wool growth in the sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

A. G. Lyne ,
M. Jolly  and
D. E. Hollis
A. G. Lyne
Affiliation:
Division of Animal Physiology, C.S.I.R.O., Ian Clunies Ross Animal Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 144, Parramatta, N.S.W. 2150, Australia
M. Jolly
Affiliation:
Department of Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery, University of Sydney, Sydney, N.S. W. 2006, Australia
D. E. Hollis
Affiliation:
Division of Animal Physiology, C.S.I.R.O., Ian Clunies Ross Animal Research Laboratory, P.O. Box 144, Parramatta, N.S.W. 2150, Australia
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Summary

A heat-exchange chamber made of perspex was inserted beneath the skin of a Merino sheep. By passing water at predetermined temperatures through the chamber, the normal subdermal temperature of 37°C was raised approximately 4°C for 4 days, then lowered approximately 5°C for 4 days.

In response to heating, the animal's temperature regulating mechanism was able to maintain a fairly constant subdermal temperature. However, it was unable to maintain as constant a subdermal temperature in response to cooling. There was, during the cooling period, an obvious nervous response to environmental disturbances manifested by sudden transient decreases in subdermal temperature over the chamber.

During the cooling period there was a decrease of 12% in mean length growth rate of wool over the chamber but mean fibre diameter was unchanged. Heating produced a small decrease in mean fibre diameter, but no change in mean length growth rate. Heating appeared to produce a slight reduction in pigmentation of some fibres but neither heating nor cooling produced demonstrable changes in crimping.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 74 , Issue 1 , February 1970 , pp. 83 - 90
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1970

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References

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