PHYSIOLOGICAL-RESPONSES TO STRESS OF FILIAL CROSSES COMPARED TO LOCALAWASSI SHEEP

Sheep breeds differed (P < 0.05) in their respiration rates between re st and all distances walked during the different seasons, 52.4 vs. 150 .7 and 49.0 vs. 140.6 breaths/min for crosses and Awassi, respectively . The 5.6 km distance (P < 0.05) influenced respiration of all sheep b reeds, especially when it was combined with effect of season. Heart ra tes were (P < 0.05) different between rest and distances marched, 99.0 vs. 146.4 and 93.1 vs. 138.8 beats/min, for the crosses and Awassi, r espectively. These values increased with distance walked and as ambien t temperature also increased with the highest rate (161.3 beats/min) a t 5.6 km during the summer season. Body temperatures were (P < 0.05) d ifferent between rest and all distances walked, 38.94 vs. 40.33 and 38 .88 vs. 40.22 degrees C for the crosses and Awassi, respectively. Also , the longer the distance walked by the animal the higher (P > 0.05) w as its rectal temperature which also was (P > 0.05) affected by season . Filial crosses were able to tolerate stressful conditions, but to a lesser degree than Awassi sheep.