Circulation and acid-base balance in exercising goats at different body temperatures

Thirty experiments were performed in two goats at an air temperature of +35 degrees C and a relative humidity of 33%. By means of heat exchangers, body core temperature (Tpaor) was adjusted to 39, 40.5, or 42 degrees C and maintained at these levels for 120 min. During the last 60 min the animals worked at a rate of 1.2 W/kg (treadmill, 3 km/h, 15%). Blood gases (arteriovenous O2 difference, Po2, Pco2), hemoglobin (Hb), blood lactate (LA), cardiac output (CO), blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), metabolic rate (M), and respiratory evaporative heat loss (REHL) were determined. M, CO, HR, and Hb increased with exercise and were independent of Tpaor. At rest and exercise, REHL increased and Pco2 decreased at higher levels of Tpaor resulting in a respiratory alkalosis. During exercise this was accompanied by an increase in LA. At all instants, the concentrations of LA were higher at higher Tpaor. It is concluded that in a virtually nonsweating species like the goat the overall stress on the circulatory system caused by hyperthermia during exercise is relatively small while the behavior of blood LA is indicative of a temperature-dependent accumulation of LA also in the exercising muscle.