Radio-frequency based digital thermometer for real-time monitoring of rectal temperature in Murrah Buffaloes

Abstract

Real-time monitoring of body temperature in livestock for detecting the febrile condition, oestrus, heat stress, onset of calving etc is limited. Thus, the aim was to validate real-time rectal temperature (RT) data of radio frequency based digital (RFD) thermometer with RT data of mercury bulb (MB) thermometer in female Indian Murrah buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). In experiment I, six buffaloes were used to record RT for 2 h on empty stomach and 2 h after feeding at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min using RFD thermometer as well as MB thermometer. In experiment II, six buffaloes were again used to record RT for 2 h before exercise and 2 h after exercise at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min. Two way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc comparisons by Bonferroni test showed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between RT data recorded by RFD thermometer as well as MB thermometer throughout the monitoring period. The RT data recorded by RFD thermometer and by MB thermometer were increased (P<0.05) following feeding and exercise in buffaloes. The results obtained in the present study suggest that the body temperature recordings from RFD thermometer could be used for monitoring real-time RT in buffaloes.