Body traits associated with heat adaptation in naturalized Brazilian cattle breeds

Authors

  • Eliandra Bianchini UNB
  • Concepta McManus UnB
  • Carolina Madeira Lucci Universidade de Brasília
  • Marcos César Barbosa Fernandes UNB
  • Elianne Prescott UNB
  • Arthur da Silva Mariante Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia
  • Andréa Alves do Egito Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-3921.pab2006.v41.7301

Keywords:

adaptation, bioclimatology, body measurements, heat tolerance

Abstract

The aim of this work was to evaluate physical aspects of heat tolerance in cattle. Sixty-four animals from five naturalized breeds were used, including Curraleiro (15 animals), Mocho Nacional (7), Crioulo Lageano (17), Pantaneira (14) and Junqueira (11), as well as twenty-six animals from two commercial breeds: Nellore (15) and Holstein (11). Measurements on shoulder height, girth, body length, cannon bone circumference, skin and hair thickness were analysed as well as hair density and hair and skin pigmentation. Girth in Curraleiro was significantly smaller than in other breeds, especially Mocho Nacional. Crioulo Lageano and Pantaneira had the thickest hair and Mocho Nacional the thickest skin. Curraleiro and Junqueira were shown to be the most heat tolerant of the naturalized breeds.

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Published

2006-09-01

How to Cite

Bianchini, E., McManus, C., Lucci, C. M., Fernandes, M. C. B., Prescott, E., Mariante, A. da S., & do Egito, A. A. (2006). Body traits associated with heat adaptation in naturalized Brazilian cattle breeds. Pesquisa Agropecuaria Brasileira, 41(9), 1443–1448. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-3921.pab2006.v41.7301

Issue

v.41, n.9, set. 2006

Section

ANIMAL SCIENCE