HEAT-PRODUCTION, BODY-TEMPERATURE, AND BODY POSTURE IN WEST-AFRICAN DWARF GOATS INFECTED WITH TRYPANOSOMA-VIVAX

The relationships between heat production, body temperature, and body posture (standing/lying) were studied in goats suffering from trypanos omiasis. Sixteen goats were selected and infected with 1 x 10(6) Trypa nosoma vivax parasites and 8 goats served as controls. In week 2, 4, a nd 6 after infection heat production, body posture, and body temperatu re were measured at 15-minute intervals. Heat production was higher (P < 0.01) in infected animals compared with control animals (342, respe ctively 306 kJ.kg(-0.75).d(-1)), body temperature was also higher (P < 0.001) in infected goats (39.78 degrees C, respectively 38.51 degrees C). The standing related energy costs per day were lower in infected animals (27 respectively 36 kJ.kg(-0.75).d(-1)). Infected animals, the refore, masked part of the energy costs of infection by reducing the s tanding time. The heat production of infected animals was increased by 21 kJ.kg(-0.75).d(-1) per 1 degrees C fever (7% increase). During per iods of standing, body temperature increased with time, whereas during lying periods, it decreased. The number of standing periods was incre ased in infected animals. It was discussed whether postural behaviour is influenced by thermoregulatory mechanisms.