The effect of thermal stress on the acid-base balance of the Ayrshire calf

Abstract

1. Two 4-month-old Ayrshire calves were subjected in a climatic room for periods of 2½–4½ hr. to an atmosphere having a temperature of 35° C. and an absolute humidity of 34 mg./l. 2. This treatment resulted in an increase in respiration rate, a decrease in carbon dioxide tension and carbon dioxide combining capacity of the venous plasma, an increase in the lactic acid concentration of the venous blood and an increase in the pH of the urine. The pH of the venous plasma showed only a slight tendency to increase. 3. It is concluded that thermal panting under the conditions described caused a carbon dioxide deficit which was just compensated for by the excretion of alkali by the kidneys, and that this compensation was not substantially influenced by the production of lactic acid resulting from an increased activity of the respiratory muscles.