Daily body temperature fluctuations of Japanese Black female calves using a CIDR for sheep with data-logger

Abstract

This study examined body temperature fluctuations in Japanese Black calves using a progester one-free Controlled Internal Drug Release (blank CIDR) for sheep with a small data-logger. This experiment was conducted over two seasons, pasture season (May and August) and non-pasture season (November and January). A total of 18 female calves (2 - 8 months old) were evaluated, for 9 of those calves, the CIDR was retained within the vagina. Detailed calf body-temperature fluctuations were recorded using a CIDR and data-logger restricted to female calves under five months and 100 kg body weight. During both seasons, the minimum body temperature was reached during the early morning, whereas the maximum body temperature was attained in the afternoon. There were no significant differences in afternoon to nighttime body temperatures between the pasture and non-pasture season.