Respiratory heat loss in the sheep: a comprehensive model.

A model is presented for the respiratory heat loss in sheep, considering both the sensible heat lost by convection ( C(R)) and the latent heat eliminated by evaporation ( E(R)). A practical method is described for the estimation of the tidal volume as a function of the respiratory rate. Equations for C(R) and E(R) are developed and the relative importance of both heat transfer mechanisms is discussed.