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Heart rate and respiratory adjustments during work of increasing intensity in Hinterwaelder and Zebu oxen

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

M. Rometsch ,
U. Roser ,
K. Becker  and
A. Susenbeth
M. Rometsch
Affiliation:
Institute for Animal Production in the Tropics and Subtropics (480)
U. Roser
Affiliation:
Institute for Animal Nutrition (450), Hohenheim University, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
K. Becker
Affiliation:
Institute for Animal Production in the Tropics and Subtropics (480)
A. Susenbeth
Affiliation:
Institute for Animal Nutrition (450), Hohenheim University, 70593 Stuttgart, Germany
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Abstract

Heart rate, ventilation measurements and gas exchange were studied in seven Hinterwaelder (Bos taurus) (494 (s.e. 16) kg) and five zebu (Bos indicusj oxen (516 (s.e. 60) kg), while the animals were standing, walking and pulling different loads. During standing, the heart rate, respiration rate, ventilation volume per min, total carbon dioxide production, total oxygen consumption and oxygen consumption per heart beat were lower in the zebu group than in the Hinterwaelder group (P < 0·05). The higher values for the Hinterwaelder were probably due to their higher metabolic rate, because of their younger age, higher level of feeding and better quality diet. The adaptation of gas exchange to higher work loads was achieved mainly by higher ventilation volumes. The composition of the expired air changed minimally. At similar levels of draught power output, the total energy expenditure minus energy expenditure of walking of the zebu oxen was lower than that of the Hinterwaelder oxen (P < 0·02). On the other hand at similar levels of heat production, the heart rate and ventilation volume per min did not differ significantly between the two breeds (P > 0·05). In spite of the differences in environment, feeding level and draught efficiency, the physiological adaptations made by the two breeds in response to work were similar.

Keywords

draught animalsgas exchangeheart raterespiration ratework
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Science , Volume 64 , Issue 2 , April 1997 , pp. 233 - 238
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1997

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