João Batista Freire de Souza

Retraction Note: Regional differences in the surface temperature of naked neck laying hens in a semi-arid environment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the regional differences in the surface temperature of Naked Neck hens that were subjected to different temperatures in a semi-arid environment. The surface temperature was measured in four body regions (face, neck, legs and feathered area) of 60 Naked Neck hens. The following environmental variables were measured at the center of the shed: the black globe temperature (T G ), air temperature (T A ), wind speed (U) and relative humidity (R H ). The T A was divided into three classes: 1 (24.0–26.0 °C), 2 (26.1–28.9 °C) and 3 (29.0–31.0 °C). An analysis of variance was performed by the least squares method and a comparison of the means by the Tukey-Kramer test. The results showed a significant effect of T A class, the body region and the interaction between these two effects on the surface temperature. There was no significant difference between the T A classes for the face and neck. The legs and feathered area showed significant differences between the T A classes. Regarding the effect of body regions within each T A class, there was a significant difference among all regions in the three T A classes. In all T A classes the neck had the highest average followed by the face and legs. The feathered area showed the lowest average of the different T A classes. In conclusion, this study showed that there are regional differences in the surface temperature of Naked Neck hens, with the legs acting as thermal windows.

Cutaneous evaporative thermolysis and hair coat surface temperature of calves evaluated with the aid of a gas analyzer and infrared thermography

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the cutaneous evaporative thermolysis (CET) of different body regions of calves and its relationship to microclimate and coat surface temperature with the use of a gas analyzer and infrared thermography. Our study addresses two questions: (1) Is CET related to surface temperature and/or ambient temperature? (2) Is CET distributed heterogeneously over the body surface, as observed in adult animals? For the purposes of this study, we used twenty-three confined, crossbred calves (Holstein × Zebu). The microclimate was evaluated for air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and black globe temperature. Air temperature was analyzed as temperature classes ( 29 °C). CET was determined using a ventilated capsule coupled to a CO 2 /H 2 O analyzer. Hair coat surface temperature was measured using infrared thermography. We chose the same body regions that were analyzed for CET. Body surface temperature did not differ between the flank and hindquarters, but both these areas differed from the neck, which had the highest mean temperature. CET did not differ between body regions. No statistical difference was found for mean CET between TA classes 29 °C. Under conditions of high temperature and shading, CET is positively related to environmental temperature and is homogeneously distributed over the body surface of calves.

Sensible heat transfer and thermal windows in Dasyprocta leporina (Mammalia, Rodentia)

This study aimed to evaluate the diurnal variation of the sensible heat transfer in red-rumped agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) bred in captivity in a semi-arid environment. In addition, we seek to id...

Thermophysiological indicators of lambs during pre-slaughter handling

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the thermophysiological indicators (TI) of the lambs during the different phases of pre-slaughter handling. Twenty animals were evaluated in two sample days. At each phase, the TI (rectal temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate) and the environmental variables were measured. Additionally, the body surface temperature was measured by infrared thermography. During the landing phase, the air temperature was the highest (33.1 °C) and the relative humidity was the lowest (45.2%). ANOVA results showed a significant effect of the pre-slaughter phases on all the TI, except the heart rate. Beyond the pre-slaughter phases, the body region and its interaction with the pre-slaughter phases also showed significant influence on the surface temperature. We conclude that the pre-slaughter handling adopted in Northeast Brazil negatively influences the TI of small ruminants, specifically the lambs. Landing was the phase that rendered maximum physiological damage to the animals.