Physiological and Metabolic Responses to Water Restriction in Ewes Under Semi-Arid Conditions
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different water restrictions on the thermoregulation and blood hematological and metabolite parameters of crossbred Santa Inês ewes in a semi-arid climate. Thirty-two ewes were subjected to four water supply levels (100%, 80%, 60%, and 40%), in a completely randomized design with eight replications. The confinement period lasted 77 days, with 14 days allocated for adaptation. Respiratory rate, heart rate, and rectal temperature exhibited a quadratic response. There was an increase in red blood cells and urea. The enzyme alanine aminotransferase decreased linearly with water restriction. Urinary creatinine decreased along with water supply. Regarding urine color characteristics, all groups showed different colors, ranging from clear to cloudy. For the chemical characteristics of urine, a quadratic effect was observed for pH, with the highest value (8.75) at 60%. An increase was observed in total urine proteins and urobilinogen. Crossbred Santa Inês ewes in a semi-arid climate exhibit physiological adaptations to water supply reduction up to 40%. Following an 80% reduction in water supply, animals exhibit mild dehydration, characterized by increased serum urea levels and decreased alanine aminotransferase activity.
Authors
- Sílvia Helena Nogueira Turco (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9452-6059)
- Alberício Pereira de Andrade (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1223-394X)
- Roberta de Lima Valença (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1341-1602)
- Diego César Nunes da Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1557-140X)
- Glayciane Costa Góis (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4624-1825)
- Fleming Sena Campos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9027-3210)
- André Luíz Rodrigues Magalhães (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2211-6795)
- Cleyton de Almeida Araújo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3636-2890)
- M.H.T. Matos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6215-5292)
- Gherman Garcia Leal de Araújo
- Thieres George Freire da Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8355-4935)
- Claudenilde de Jesus Pinheiro Costa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7379-6199)
Institutions
- Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (BR)
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (BR)
- Southwest Bahia State University (BR)
- Universidade Federal do Maranhão (BR)
- Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (BR)
- Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (BR)
- Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (BR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Veterinary Sciences
- Published
- 2025-08-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12090790
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Effects of Environmental Stressors on Livestock
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.19
Funders
- Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
- Fundação de Amparo à Ciência e Tecnologia do Estado de Pernambuco