The regional distribution of cutaneous moisture vaporization in the Ayrshire calf

Abstract

1. Nine Ayrshire calves were subjected in a climatic room to temperatures in the range 15–41° C., and moisture vaporization rates were measured, by means of ventilated capsules, from various skin regions.2. The rise in moisture vaporization rate, during the early part of exposures to high temperatures, occurred in a series of steps. This was attributed to bursts in sweat gland activity.3. At low environmental temperatures the moisture vaporization rate was small and similar in all regions. At high temperatures evaporation differed widely between regions. The regional distribution was similar for all animals and agreed broadly with results that have been reported for other breeds.4. The regional distribution of moisture vaporization was not appreciably altered as animals aged from 10 to 34 weeks, but the evaporation from all regions increased during this period.