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ICARELI-2021 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1001(2022) 012022 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1001/1/012022

Physiological response of dairy goats in tropical climates: A

study in Tadukan Raga Village, Deli Serdang Regency, North
Sumatra

A Febretrisiana1, A Anwar1, A Alwiyah1, G E Teresia2, H Hasinah2 and

B Tiesnamurti2
¹Goat Research Station, Sei Putih Galang, North Sumatra, Indonesia
²Indonesian Center for Animal Researh and Development, Jl Padjajaran Kav E 59,
Bogor,West Java, Indonesia

E-mail: febre_arie@yahoo.co.id

Abstract. The physiological response can be an indicator of livestock health status related to the
environment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the physiological response
of dairy goats kept in Deli Serdang Regency. A total of 93 PE goats were used and their
physiological responses were assessed by measuring rectal temperature, heart, and respiration
rate at different ages, body weights, and pregnancy statuses. Subsequently, statistical analysis of
the data obtained was carried out with T-Test using SPSS version 21.0. The results indicated that
there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in goat rectal temperature (39.0, 39.0, 38.9, and
39.0, respectively). Similarly, heart and respiration rates at various ages did not show a
significant difference (P>0.05). The body weights (20-29, 30-39, and 40-50kg) did not show
significant differences in heart rate (P>0.05) at 72, 69.6, and 73.2 beats/minute. The
physiological response of rectal temperature and respiration rate also did not show any difference
(P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the respiratory rate of pregnant and non-
pregnant goats (p>0.05), which were 42.9 and 42.9 breaths/minute, respectively. It was
concluded that dairy goats in Tandukan Raga Village, Deli Serdang Regency did not show
different physiological responses such as rectal temperature, heart and respiration rate despite
differences in age, weight, and pregnancy status.

1. Introduction
Indonesia is a tropical wet country with high exposure to sunlight throughout the year. Although it is
beneficial, it is essential to consider how this condition will affect the livestock as it results in excessive
heat load experienced by livestock due to the heat generated from the body's metabolic processes and
the heat exposure from the environment [1]. Deli Serdang Regency, particularly Tadukan Raga Village,
has the potential for the development of dairy goats. Raising dairy goats is a source of livelihood for
farmers as a primary source of income or as a side business. In Indonesia, goats are one of the most
widely cultivated livestock, and among the various species of goats cultivated are Kacang, Jawarandu,
Bligon, and PE. However, PE are widely cultivated because they can be used for meat and milk
production. It is the result of a cross between Kacang or Javan goat and Indian Etawa. The body
conformation of PE is larger when compared to other types of goats, however, those kept by the

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ICARELI-2021 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1001(2022) 012022 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1001/1/012022

Indonesian people are not entirely used as milk-producing goats. Crosses with Kacang are carried out
to obtain benefits as meat-producing goats, hence, the potential for dairy is not obtained optimally [2].
Climate is one of the challenges of raising goats, particularly dairy goats. Therefore, physiological
responses can be used as a reference to assess abnormal livestock conditions caused by an unsuitable
environment for livestock. In addition, if livestock are continuously subjected to unsuitable
environmental conditions, it may result in a decrease in productivity [3]. Livestock respond to external
heat by trying to adjust their rectal temperature to environmental conditions, hence, it is necessary to
evaluate the ability of livestock to adapt to the heat they receive [4]. An unsuitable environment can be
characterized by changes in physiological responses in livestock such as rectal temperature, heart and
respiratory rate [5]. Furthermore, several factors can trigger changes in normal physiological conditions
in livestock, namely temperature, humidity, feed consumption, age, muscle activity, pregnancy, and
stress [6].
The average air temperature in Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra, is 27.3℃, with a minimum of
21℃ and a maximum of 36℃, while the average humidity is 85%, with a minimum of 76% and a
maximum of 97%. The purpose of this study was to observe the physiological responses of PE in tropical
climates kept by farmers based on differences in age, body weight, and reproductive status of livestock.

2. Materials and methods

This study was conducted at Tadukan Raga Village, STM Hilir District, Deli Serdang Regency, North
Sumatra, in April 2021. Physiological response data was obtained by measuring heart and respiration
rate, as well as rectal temperature of goats. Measurements were taken on as many as 93 PE, while heart
and respiration rate, as well as rectal temperature data were obtained by grouping livestock based on age
(1-4 years), body weight (20-50 kg), and reproductive status (pregnant and non-pregnant).

2.1. Physiological response measurement

Heart rate was measured using a stethoscope placed on the left side of the thorax near heart in a standing
position, then the pulse or korotkoff sound was counted for 1 minute. Subsequently, the breathing
frequency was measured by observing the rising and falling of the stomach or by bringing the back of
the hand close to the snout, and measuring for one minute. Rectal temperature measurements were
carried out using a digital body thermometer that had been zeroed, inserted into the rectum, and waited
for the thermometer to sound [7]

2.2. Statistical analysis

The data was analyzed using the T-Test of SPSS version 21.0. Treatments that showed significant
differences at P <0.05 will then be tested by Duncan’s test.

3. Results and discussion

The physiological responses of various ages of PE are shown in Table 1. The results indicated that there
was no significant difference (P>0.05) in heart and respiration rate, as well as rectal temperature across
goats aged 1, 2, 3, and 4 years. PE aged 1 to 4 years had average heart rates of 75.2, 73.6, 73.2, and 82.2
beats/minute, respectively. Meanwhile, respiration rate of goats aged 1 to 4 years were 54, 54.4, 54.4,
and 45.6 breaths/minute, respectively. Rectal temperature of goats aged 1 to 4 years was 39℃.
Furthermore, PE of different ages can maintain their body condition by adapting their physiological
conditions to normal. This can be observed from heart and respiration rate, as well as rectal temperature
of livestock which are still within normal limits. The normal heart and respiratory rate as well as rectal
temperature in livestock are 70-135 beats/minute, 70-135 breaths/minute [7] and 38.8℃ to 39.9℃,
respectively [8]. The absence of differences in the physiological response of livestock at different ages
may be attributed to the livestock being kept in comfortable conditions where they do not experience
pressure or stress.

2
ICARELI-2021 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1001(2022) 012022 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1001/1/012022

Table 1. Physiological response in PE of different ages.

Age Pulse rate Respiratory rate Rectal temperature
(years) (beats/min) (breaths/min) (℃)
1 75.2 54 39
2 73.6 54.4 39
3 73.2 54.4 39
4 82.2 45.6 39
The physiological responses of pregnant and non-pregnant PE are presented in Table 2. From the
results, heart rate of pregnant goats is 80 beats/minute which is not significantly different (P>0.05) from
the non-pregnant which is 84.4 beats/minute. The respiration rate of 49.2 breaths/minute did not differ
between pregnant and non-pregnant goats. Furthermore, rectal temperature of pregnant goat which was
39.1℃ was similar to non-pregnant which was 38.9℃. According to [9], pregnant PE had a heart rate
of 79.0 beats/minute, a respiration rate of 38.3 breaths/minute, and a rectal temperature of 38.3 ℃.
Despite the differences in the physiological responses observed, they were still in the normal category,
namely heart rate 70-135 beats/minute, respiration rate 70-135 breaths/minute, and rectal temperature
38.5 to 40.5℃ [10]. The physiological response of pregnant PE is not different from non-pregnant,
presumably because PE are highly adaptive in various regions making it possible to attenuate the adverse
effects of the environment that can result in abnormal livestock physiology [2].
Table 2. Physiological response of PE with different reproduction status.
Reproduction Pulse rate Respiratory rate Rectal temperature
Status (beats/min) (breaths/min) (℃)
Pregnant 80 49.2 39.1
Non-pregnant 84.4 49.2 38.9
The physiological response of PE with different body weights did not show a significant difference
(P>0.05). Goats weighing 20-29 kg showed a heart rate of 72 beats/minute, a respiration rate of 54.8
breaths/minute, and a rectal temperature of 39.1℃. Goats weighing 30-39 kg showed a heart rate of 69.6
beats/minute, a respiration rate of 51.2 breaths/minute, and a rectal temperature of 39℃. Goats weighing
40-50 kg had a heart rate of 73.2 beats/minute, a respiration rate of 46.6 breaths/minute, and a rectal
temperature of 38.8℃, which was similar to those with different body weights The physiological
response of PE was unaffected by body weight of Livestock and still within the normal range of
physiological responses. Body weight influences the metabolic rate of livestock, while another
influencing factor is the environmental temperature which affects the metabolic and heart rate, as well
as other important physiological conditions that occur in the livestock [11]. The study by [12] states that
the respiratory frequency of livestock will increase as a mechanism carried out by the body to eliminate
heat loads through evaporation. An increase in rectal temperature and respiratory rate will also occur
and reach a peak in the first week and then decline gradually. This indicates that livestock can adapt to
unfavorable environmental conditions.
Table 3. Physiological response with different body weight in PE.
Body weight Pulse rate Respiratory rate Rectal temperature
(kg) (beats/min) (breaths/min) (℃)
20-29 72 54.8 39.1
30-39 69.6 51.2 39
40-50 73.2 46.4 38.8
The physiological responses observed describe the environmental temperature and humidity
conditions that do not affect the rectal temperature, as well as heart and respiration rate of goats at

3
ICARELI-2021 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1001(2022) 012022 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1001/1/012022

different ages, body weights, and pregnancy status, which may be caused by suitable environmental
conditions for livestock. The average air temperature in Deli Serdang Regency is 27.3℃ that falls within
the range of optimum environmental temperature for livestock, which is 18-30℃ [12]. Unsuitable air
temperature will cause livestock to experience heat stress and difficulty in balancing and maintaining
metabolic and heart rate and this will worsen as the humidity in the environment rises [10].

4. Conclusions
At the same temperature and humidity conditions in a tropical climate, heart rate, respiration rate, and
rectal temperature of PE aged 1, 2, 3, and 4 showed no difference as well as those that were pregnant or
non-pregnant. Despite the variation in body weight, the physiological response of all goats yielded the
same results. Heart and respiration rate, as well as rectal temperature of goats at different ages,
pregnancy status, and body weight are still considered normal.

Acknowledgments
This study was funded by the Indonesian Center for Animal Research and Development through the
Innovative and Collaborative Research Program. The authors would like to express their gratitude to the
Director of the Indonesian Research Institute for Goat Production and Ismailtha Sembiring for support
during this study.

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