Características adaptativas de caprinos nativos do semiárido brasileiro

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the physiological responses of Moxotó and Canindé goats reared in an extensive system in a semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil exposed to direct solar radiation. The experiment was carried out at the experimental station of the Federal University of Paraíba, located in the municipality of São João do Cariri. Data collection for the experiment was carried out in April, May, July and August 2022. 20 castrated male animals aged approximately one year were used, 11 animals of the Moxotó breed and 9 animals of the Canindé breed. The climatic variables were recorded on the days of data collection through a meteorological station from which the following values were obtained: air temperature (AT), relative humidity (RH), black globe temperature (BGT), wind speed (WS) and direct solar radiation (DSR). The physiological parameters observed were rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR), surface temperature (ST), body condition score (BCS) and weight (W). Feces were collected directly from the rectal ampulla of the animals for the analysis of eggs per gram (EPG), to determine helminth infestation. Blood was collected to determine: leukocytes (Leu), red blood cells (RBC), hematocrit (Ht), hemoglobin (Hb), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Globular Hemoglobin (MGH), and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin concentration (MCHC). There was a significant difference (P≥0.05) for relative humidity, which in April reached the highest index: 66.7%. There was a significant difference (P≥0.05) for (ST), Canindé goats reached the highest (ST), due to the predominant black coat, however, despite the lower temperature values, Moxotó goats needed to make more use of the (RR), as a form of heat loss due to the influence of (RH), with no significant difference (P≥0.05) for (RR), despite the higher values (ST) of Canindé. A significant difference (P≥0.05) was only observed in April for (RT). The results of hemogram and leukogram of the Moxotó breed showed averages within the normal range. The result of the Canindé breed showed a result above what is considered within the normal range for (MGH). There was no significant difference between breeds for (BCS) (P≥0.05), there was a significant difference (P≥0.05), between months of evaluation. There was a significant difference (P≥0.05), for (P) between breeds. Both breeds have physiological indices within normal limits, are resistant to helminths and are well adapted to the semi-arid region.