HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by McNitt, J. I. Articles by First, N. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by McNitt, J. I. Articles by First, N. L.

Thermoregulation in the Scrotal System of the Boar. I. Temperature Distribution^1,2

University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706

Abstract

The temperatures of the testes, scrotum, the region between the parietal and visceral layers of the tunica vaginalis propria, scrotal surface, rectum, the muscular region anterior to the testes (ham) and the fat-skin complex immediately cranial to the testes which is traversed by the spermatic cords (belly) of boars have been determined using acutely implanted bead thermistors. Measurements were made for 80 min. with eight conscious boars each at 23 and 40 C. The mean rectal temperature for the 16 boars at the beginning of the measurements was 38.58±0.04 C. The mean testicular temperature was 35.7±0.12 C, that between the tunicas 34.14±0.24 C and on the surface 33.08±0.56 C. The mean temperature of the ham was 37.90±0.24 C and of the belly 36.87±0.028 C.

The various temperatures except ham temperature were significantly increased (P<.01) after 80 min. at 40 C. There were highly significant (P<.01) increases with time in all areas except the belly (P<.05) and the surface, for which time was a nonsignificant factor. Analysis of the differences from rectal temperature indicated no significant time effects in any of the areas and significant treatment effects only for surface temperature difference and the temperature difference between the tunicas (P<.01) and one of the two testicular temperature differences (P<.05).

Since the differences from rectal temperature are not affected by time or environmental temperature, it was suggested that rectal temperature could be used to predict testicular temperature in future studies.

¹ Research supported by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Meat and Animal Science Paper No. 594.

² Supported in part by the National Air Pollution Control Administration, Environmental Health Service, USPHS, through CIC Biometeorology Graduate Training Grant TO1-AP00075.

³ Present address: Department of Meat and Animal Science, University of Wisconsin.