Effect of High Ambient Temperature in Early and Late Lactation on Litter Growth and Survival in Rats

Abstract

The effect of heat stress, applied either during the first half or during the second half of lactation, on total litter production per rat was studied. The survival of the pups, the growth rate of the surviving pups, the liveweight changes, and feed intakes of the rats were also measured. Some observations were also made on maternal and pup behaviour.