The effect of environmental temperature and humidity on the respiration rate of Ayrshire calves

Abstract

1. The respiration rates of three 4-month old Ayrshire bull calves were measured in individual 6 hr. daily exposures to 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40° C. dry bulb temperatures at 17 mg./l. absolute humidity and at 7 mg./l. saturation deficit at temperatures of 30, 35 and 40° C. in a planned sequence of environmental temperature. The schedule of experiments on each animal lasted 45 days consisting of five replications of these nine environmental conditions. Throughout the experimental programme the respiration rates of these three animals and of three control animals were measured in a holding room just before the experimental animal of each pair was transferred to the hot room. 2. The frequency of respiration of all the calves increased with increasing environmental temperature and humidity.