Table 3 Effects of constant chronic heat stress on the performance and physiological responses in growing-finishing pigs

Initial body weight, kg

34.06 ± 0.80

33.99 ± 0.71

34.14 ± 0.90

0.992

Finial body weight, kg

38.92 ± 1.34^a

33.29 ± 0.56^b

33.18 ± 0.83^b

< 0.001

Average daily gain, kg/d

0.79 ± 0.04^a

−0.10 ± 0.06^b

− 0.14 ± 0.03^b

< 0.001

Average daily feed intake, kg/d

1.37 ± 0.08^a

0.54 ± 0.04^b

0.51 ± 0.00^b

< 0.001

Water intake, L/d

6.35 ± 0.36^a

4.81 ± 0.26^b

4.32 ± 0.28^b

< 0.001

Ratio of water to feed

4.76 ± 0.44^b

9.50 ± 1.38^a

8.46 ± 0.55^a

0.002

Rectal temperature, °C

39.5 ± 0.1^b

41.0 ± 0.1^a

39.1 ± 0.1^c

< 0.001

Jugular temperature, °C

39.5 ± 0.1^b

41.4 ± 0.1^a

38.4 ± 0.1^c

< 0.001

Back temperature, °C

39.8 ± 0.1^b

41.7 ± 0.1^a

38.7 ± 0.1^c

< 0.001

Hind leg temperature, °C

39.9 ± 0.1^b

41.9 ± 0.2^a

38.8 ± 0.1^c

< 0.001