[Hourly variations in rectal temperature and prolactinemia in the creole goat kept outside in a tropical environment]

Rectal temperature and plasma prolactin level were measured hourly in "creole goats" during 27 consecutive hours in March, July and November. Simultaneously, air, "black-globe" temperature and relative humidity were measured at the height of the animals. Rectal temperature and plasma prolactin level varied according to hour and season and were always higher during the day than during the night. Plasma prolactin level increased dramatically for 3 h after dusk only in March. Rectal temperature showed a significantly higher correlation with air temperature than with "black-globe" temperature. On the contrary, plasma prolactin level was more significantly correlated with "black-globe" temperature than with air temperature. When all seasons and hours were pooled, "black-globe" temperature showed a threshold (32-34 degrees C), beyond which prolactin reached values higher than 100 ng/ml. Rectal temperature was always significantly correlated with plasma prolactin level. Plasma prolactin level as an index of thermal stress and the role of prolactin in thermoregulation have been discussed.