Effects of Mild Heat Exposure and Suppression of Prolactin Secretion on Gastro-intestinal Tract Function and Temperature Regulation in Sheep

Abstract

The effects of mild heat exposure (30°C; 30% relative humidity), and of the suppression of prolactin secretion under such conditions, were studied in anoestrous ewes given daily 791 g dry matter of a pelleted mixture of lucerne hay and oat grain (3: 2). 51Cr-EDTA, 103Ru-phenanthroline and lignin were used to determine mean retention times (MRT) in the gastro-intestinal (01) tract by a continuous infusion-total sampling procedure.