Sweat glands in Zebu (Bos indicus L.) and European (B. taurus L.) cattle. II. Effects of season and exercise on sweat gland volume

Abstract

Seasonal variation in sweat gland volume is reported in two breeds of Zebu dairy cattle. Changes which occurred in the volume of sweat glands in Jersey and in Zebu x Jersey cattle, as the result of sweating induced by exercise, are described. The crossbred cattle, which had larger sweat glands than the Jerseys, sweated at a greater rate, and had a smaller rise in rectal temperature, which returned more rapidly to normal. It is suggested that there is a relationship between sweat gland volume and activity, and that the seasonal changes in volume observed in the two Zebu breeds are largely due to changes in ambient temperature.