Effect of low and medium environmental temperatures on physiological and reproductive parameters in Soay rams
dc.contributor.advisor
Illius, A.
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dc.contributor.author
Pointing, Stephen William
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dc.contributor.sponsor
Overseas Development Administration, UK
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dc.date.accessioned
2024-03-26T13:28:06Z
dc.date.available
2024-03-26T13:28:06Z
dc.date.issued
1981
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dc.description.abstract
Seven adult Soay rams, which had been cranially sympathectomised, were used to study the effect of a low (7°C) and medium (15°C) environmental temperature on three physiological parameters (body temperature, heart rate and respiration rate) and two reproductive parameters (testis diameter and plasma testosterone concentration). They were kept in a controlled temperature room with artificial lighting conditions of eight hours light and 16 hours dark (8L:16D). There was a short adaptation period, followed by three weeks at 7°C and three weeks at 1^°C. Adequate food and water was present at all times.
Results showed that body temperature was lower during the 7°C period than the 15°C period (P < 0.05). All the other results were not significant but certain trends were noticed. The heart rate was greater during the cool period compared with the warmer period; and the respiration rate was higher during the warm period. The testis diameter increased from the beginning of the 7°C period to reach a maximum size at the end of the initial period; at the higher temperature (15°C) testis diameter gradually decreased. Testosterone concentrations were high throughout the whole experimental period but the levels were greater during the 15°C period compared with the 7°0 period.
It was concluded that although light acts as the major stimulus to the onset of the breeding season in rams, low temperature alone plays a significant role, and the maximum effect is due to a combination of the two factors.
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dc.identifier.uri
https://hdl.handle.net/1842/41666
dc.publisher
The University of Edinburgh
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dc.relation.isreferencedby
Already catalogued
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dc.subject
Annexe MSc Digitisation Project 2022 Block 46
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dc.subject
Soay rams
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dc.subject
cranially sympathectomised
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dc.subject
7°C environmental temperature
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dc.subject
15°C environmental temperature
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dc.subject
physiological parameters
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dc.subject
reproductive parameters
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dc.subject
controlled temperature
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dc.subject
artificial lighting
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dc.title
Effect of low and medium environmental temperatures on physiological and reproductive parameters in Soay rams
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dc.title.alternative
The effect of low and medium environmental temperatures on physiological and reproductive parameters in Soay rams
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dc.type
Thesis or Dissertation
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dc.type.qualificationname
MSc Master of Science
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