[Frontiers in Bioscience 8, s258-264, May 1, 2003] 258 THERMAL CHRONOBIOLOGY OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS

This article reviews the literature on the circadian and estrous rhythms of body temperature in farm animals. Although most research in this area has lacked the methodological sophistication of research conducted on laboratory animals, the experimental results are consistent with the general principles of thermal chronobiology derived from laboratory studies and, at the same time, provide specific information about the peculiarities of livestock species. Detailed knowledge of the normal parameters of the body temperature rhythms is important for the advancement of diagnostic procedures in veterinary medicine and for the optimization of farm yield in the dairy and meat industry.