THE ROLE OF WOOL COAT IN RESISTANCE TO WATER SALINITY AND HEAT STRESS IN SHEEP

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Wool Production and Technology Department, Desert Research Center, Mataria, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

This study was carried out at Maryout Research Station of the Desert
Research Center, located 35km south west of Alexandria. The experimental period
extended from the first of July to the middle of September 2000. Twenty adult Barki
rams were equally divided into four groups. Two groups were exposed to solar
radiation and the two other groups were under shade. One of the two exposed groups
was offered tap water (0.3g/L TOS) and the second group was offered saline water
(13.1 gIL TOS). The same respective order was done in the other shaded groups.
Staple length (STL), fibre diameter (FO), fibre type ratio (FTR), cotting score (CS),
coat depth (CD) and number of crimps/ern (CRS) were measured. Plasma aspartate
aminotransaminase (AST) , alanine aminotransaminase (AL T), glucose (GLU) and
haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations were determined.
The present study showed that drinking saline water significantly (P<0.05)
declined both of animal BW and plasma GLU, while it caused an increment in both of
plasma Hb and activity of liver enzymes (AST and ALT). Exposure to solar radiation
tended to significantly increase BW and liver enzymes, while it decreased plasma Hb,
but it had non significant effect on plasma GLU. Wool CD and FD could dilute the
harmful impact of salt and heat stresses on sheep.

Keywords

Journal of Animal and Poultry Production
Volume 29, Issue 8
August 2004
Pages 4487-4497

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