Seasonal pattern of the physical and physiological traits of Brazilian naturalized goats in a semiarid climate

<p>The aim of this work was to assess seasonal changes of the physical and physiological traits of Naturalized Brazilian goats in semiarid climate using the Canonical Analysis of Principal Coordinates (CAP) statistical technique. It was evaluated 30 adult Canindé and 30 Moxotó goats in the rainy and dry periods. The air temperature (ºC), relative humidity (%) and black globe temperature (ºC) were assessed thus, Radiant Heat Load (W m^-2) and Black Globe Humidity Index (BGHI) was calculated. The physiological variable as rectal temperature (R_T, ºC), respiratory rate (R_R, breaths min^-1), surface temperature (S_T, ºC) were recorded from 09:00 to 11:00 am. Furthermore, investigation on hair coat traits (thickness, length, diameter and density) and thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) were performed. Exploratory analysis (Canonic Analysis of Principal Coordinates – CAP) were performed using morphophysiological traits. The results showed that Moxotó and Canindé were separated in two different groups. Levels of T3 and T4 were inversely correlated and responsible for this separation. Canindé goats presented lower concentration of T4 and presented morphological hair coat thickness that tends to present difficulties in the elimination of heat.</p>