Abstract

The current research was conducted to understand how the impact of heat stress on some physiological parameters and study seasonal pattern HSP60 expressions associated with physiological response in goats (Alpine and Saanen and Boer breeds) subjected to various climatic conditions. This study was carried out in winter and summer periods on 160 goat types Saanen (n= 65), Alpine (n= 73) and Boer (n= 22) at the Dairy Goat Research Farm of Çukurova University located in the province of Adana, in eastern Mediterranean part of Turkey. Environmental data (ambient temperature, relative humidity and thermal humidity index) and physiological parameters including body temperature, surface temperature (head and skin), respiration rate and pulse rate were recorded. In addition serum concentration of HSP60 and HSP70 were measured though double-antibody sandwich ELISA test for each season. The thermal humidity index (84) showed that goats were subjected to thermal stress during summer. The skin, head and body temperature; respiration and pulse rate during this season were significantly (P<0.05) higher when compared to winter. On other hand, the results revealed that the HSP60 and HSP70 expression changed with season. This seasonal profile of HSP concentration demonstrated HSP60 (6.7±0.62 vs.11.1±0.85 ng.ml-1) and HSP70 (21.6±0.76 vs. 20.9±0.53 ng.ml-1) were significantly lower in winter when compared to summer. Furthermore, positive and significant (P<0.05) correlations were found between HSP concentration and physiological data. Goat increased their respiration rate, pulse rate and skin temperature to dissipate the extra-heat loaded. To further that physiological adaption, the body of goat set a cellular adaption mechanism which is associated with the high concentration of heat shock proteins.

Keywords

HSP60, goat, physiological, thermal stress, season