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Effects of Heat Stress on Livestock and Adaptation Methods

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A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal System and Management".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (29 February 2024) | Viewed by 14450

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Dr. Jeremy Cottrell

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Guest Editor

School of Agriculture and Food, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Interests: physiology and nutrition of production animals; pig; chicken

Dr. Fan Liu

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Rivalea Australia Pty Ltd, Corowa, Australia
Interests: muscle deposition; fetal development; environmental physiology; summer infertility; pig production

Dr. Hieu Huu Le

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Melbourne, Australia
Interests: heat stress; physiology; pigs; nutrition

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As the effects of climate change exert themselves, animal producers will not only face hotter environmental temperatures, but livestock will also face an extended seasonal duration of heat stress. With the associated reductions in productivity, heat stress poses a challenge for efficient animal production. Understanding and reducing the impacts of heat stress on livestock animals is essential to achieve sustainable agriculture, particularly with the unprecedented pace of global warming. The effects of heat stress on productivity are well known, but an improved understanding of how heat stress impacts livestock is driving cost-effective advancements in nutrition, selection and engineering solutions, to benefit the reproduction, tissue growth and milk yields of livestock animals, leading to improved production efficiency.

For this Special Issue, we invite original research articles to deepen our understanding on the physiological impacts of heat stress in all farm species and/or to provide novel mitigation strategies (not limited to nutritional interventions). We encourage authors to include cost-benefit analyses in the tested mitigation strategies to support the implementation of the successful strategies.

Dr. Jeremy Cottrell
Dr. Fan Liu
Dr. Hieu Huu Le
Guest Editors

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Keywords

heat stress
climate change
physiology
fertility
production

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 1724 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Anti-Müllerian Hormone as Endocrine and Molecular Marker Associated with Reproductive Performance in Holstein Dairy Cows Exposed to Heat Stress

by Luis A. Contreras-Méndez, Juan F. Medrano, Milton G. Thomas, R. Mark Enns, Scott E. Speidel, Guillermo Luna-Nevárez, Pedro A. López-Castro, Fernando Rivera-Acuña and Pablo Luna-Nevárez

Animals 2024, 14(2), 213; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020213 - 09 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1193

Abstract

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is proposed as a biomarker for fertility in cattle, yet this associative relationship appears to be influenced by heat stress (HS). The objective was to test serum AMH and AMH-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as markers potentially predictive of reproductive traits in dairy cows experiencing HS. The study included 300 Holstein cows that were genotyped using BovineSNP50 (54,000 SNP). A genome-wide association study was then executed. Nine intragenic SNPs within the pathways that influence the AMH gene were found important with multiple comparisons adjustment tests (p < 1.09 × 10⁻⁶). A further validation study was performed in an independent Holstein cattle population, which was divided into moderate (MH; n = 152) and severe heat-stressed (SH; n = 128) groups and then subjected to a summer reproductive management program. Serum AMH was confirmed as a predictor of fertility measures (p < 0.05) in MH but not in the SH group. Cows were genotyped, which revealed four SNPs as predictive markers for serum AMH (p < 0.01), reproductive traits (p < 0.01), and additional physiological variables (p < 0.05). These SNPs were in the genes AMH, IGFBP1, LGR5, and TLR4. In conclusion, serum AMH concentrations and AMH polymorphisms are proposed as predictive markers that can be used in conjunction with genomic breeding value approaches to improve reproductive performance in Holstein cows exposed to summer HS conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Heat Stress on Livestock and Adaptation Methods)

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15 pages, 522 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Using Recombinant Superoxide Dismutase to Control Oxidative Stress in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Cyclic Heat-Stressed Pigs

by Hieu Huu Le, Weicheng Zhao, John Barton Furness, Majid Shakeri, Kristy DiGiacomo, Eugeni Roura, David Renaudeau, Nicolas Kurt Gabler, Brian Joseph Leury, Frank Rowland Dunshea, Gene Wijffels and Jeremy James Cottrell

Animals 2023, 13(16), 2681; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13162681 - 21 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1104

Abstract

Climate change is associated with an increased frequency and intensity of heat waves, posing a threat of heat stress to pig production. Heat stress compromises the efficiency of pig production partly due to causing oxidative stress, intestinal dysfunction, and inflammatory responses. Superoxide dismutase is an antioxidant enzyme reported to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. Therefore, this experiment aimed to investigate whether recombinant superoxide dismutase (_rSOD) could ameliorate oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in heat-stressed grower pigs. Sixty-four female pigs (Large White × Landrace, 27.8 ± 1.65 kg, mean ± SD) were randomly allocated to a control diet (standard grower feed, CON) or the control diet supplemented with 50 IU recombinant superoxide dismutase (_rSOD) for 14 days. After acclimation to the diet, pigs were then housed under thermoneutral (TN, 20 °C, 35–50% relative humidity) or cyclic heat stress conditions (_CHS, at 35 °C: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 28 °C: 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., 35–50% relative humidity) for 3 days. Heat stress increased respiration rate (RR), skin and rectal temperature (RR and RT) (p < 0.001 for all), and reduced plasma thyroid hormone concentration (p < 0.001). The amount of oxidized glutathione (GSH:GSSG) was increased in the jejunum and ileum of _CHS pigs. In the jejunum, _rSOD also increased the amount of oxidized glutathione in both TN and _CHS pigs, without any change in endogenous SOD activity. In the ileum, _rSOD prevented increases in oxidized glutathione formation in the _CHS pigs only. Taken together, this may reflect increased oxidative stress in both the jejunum and ileum in _CHS pigs. Alternatively, _rSOD increased the conversion of reduced to oxidized glutathione independently of _CHS, possibly reflecting an increased overall SOD activity due to the addition of exogenous SOD. In conclusion, the use of in-feed SOD enzymes at a dose of 50 IU/kg may be a useful strategy for preventing oxidative stress in pigs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Heat Stress on Livestock and Adaptation Methods)

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10 pages, 765 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Use of Innovative Tools for the Detection of the Impact of Heat Stress on Reticulorumen Parameters and Cow Walking Activity Levels

by Ramūnas Antanaitis, Karina Džermeikaitė, Agnė Šimkutė, Akvilė Girdauskaitė, Ieva Ribelytė and Lina Anskienė

Animals 2023, 13(11), 1852; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13111852 - 02 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3332

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the temperature and humidity index on reticulorumen parameters such as temperature, pH, rumination index, and cow walking activity levels. Throughout the experiment, the following parameters were recorded: reticulorumen pH (pH), reticulorumen temperature (RR temp.), reticulorumen temperature without drinking cycles, ambient temperature, ambient relative humidity, cow walking activity levels, heat index, and temperature–humidity index (THI). These parameters were registered with particular smaXtec boluses. SmaXtec boluses were applied on 1 July 2022; 24 days were the adaptation period. Measurements started at 25 July 2022 and finished at 29 August 2022. The THI was divided into two classes: THI < 72 (comfort zone) and THI ≥ 72 (higher risk of thermal stress). Cows assigned to the 2nd THI class had lower average values for pH, temperature, and rumination index, but not walking activity levels. The mean differences ranged from 0.36 percent in temperature to 11.61 percent in walking activity levels (p < 0.01). An analysis of the THI revealed a significant positive linear relation with hours, where the THI had a tendency to increase on average by 0.2403. The reticuloruminal pH showed a negative linear relation with hours, where the reticuloruminal pH had a tendency to decrease on average by 0.0032, p < 0.001. Data analysis revealed a significant positive linear relationship between walking activity levels and hours, where walking activity levels had a tendency to increase on average by 0.0622 steps per hour, p < 0.001. The rumination index was not significantly related to hours (p < 0.005), although the rumination index had a tendency to increase by 0.4376 per hour, p > 0.05. The influence of HS on reticulorumen parameters increased the risk of acidosis and cows’ activity levels. HS had a negative impact on reticulorumen pH, temperature, and the rumination index. A higher THI (≥72) increased the risk of ruminal acidosis and decreased cows’ physical activity levels. From a practical point of view, we can use innovative tools for the detection of HS and its impact on reticulorumen parameters and cow walking activity levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Heat Stress on Livestock and Adaptation Methods)

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14 pages, 344 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of THI on Milk Production, Percentage of Milking Cows, and Time Lying in Holstein Cows in Northern-Arid Mexico

by Rafael Rodriguez-Venegas, Cesar Alberto Meza-Herrera, Pedro Antonio Robles-Trillo, Oscar Angel-Garcia, Martín Alfredo Legarreta-Gonzalez, Humberto Filemón Sánchez-Vocanegra and Rafael Rodriguez-Martinez

Animals 2023, 13(10), 1715; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13101715 - 22 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1599

Abstract

The possible effect of heat stress (HS), measured with the temperature–humidity index (THI) across seasons of the year (SY) upon milk production (MP), feed-to-milk efficiency (FME), and cow comfort (CC) was assessed in Holstein–Friesian cows in northern-arid Mexico. Data from 2467 cows (2146 milking and 321 dry) were recorded across SY [spring (SP), summer (SM), autumn (AT), and winter (WN)] between 2016 and 2019 in an intensive dairy farm located in the Comarca Lagunera (25° NL) with large fluctuations regarding ambient temperature and solar radiation. The THI was stratified into four classes: non-HS, <68; light HS, 68–71; moderate HS, 72–76; and intense HS, ≥77. The considered response variables were Milk production: both on a farm basis (totMP) and on a cow basis (cowMP); Nutritional efficiency: dry matter intake (DMI, kg); Feed conversion efficiency (FCE, kg) and energy-corrected milk (ECM, kg); Percentage of milking cows: (MC%); and Cow comfort: lying time (LT, h). Analyses of variance for unbalanced data were performed through “R”. Both totMP and cowMP differed (p < 0.05) as HS increased; the largest values (i.e., 77,886 L and 35.9 L) occurred at lower THIs (i.e., <68 and 68–71) while the milk production fell (i.e., 66,584 L and 31.7 L) with the highest THIs (i.e., ≥77). Not only feed-to-milk efficiency (i.e., DMI, FCE, and ECM) but also the MC% exhibited a similar trend; a visible drop (p < 0.05) occurred from a THI of 68–71 onwards. Furthermore, the LT declined as the THI augmented, from 10.6 h at <68 to 8.5 h at ≥77. Moreover, differences (p < 0.05) also arose across seasons; TotMP, cowMP, DMI, FCE, and ECM revealed their largest (p < 0.05) values in WN and SP, halfway ones in AT, with the lowermost figures in SM. In the same way, cow comfort differed (p < 0.05) among seasons, with diverse lying times (h); WT, 10.5; AT, 10.20; SP, 9.3 h; and 8.8 in SM. Finally, the potential economic burden that HS caused at the producer (USD 233.2 million) and industry-market levels (USD 311.1 M), as well as its impact upon nutrient and alimentary security at the society level (i.e., 311 M milk liters and 195,415.82 Gcal), were also quantified. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Heat Stress on Livestock and Adaptation Methods)

12 pages, 1924 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Estimation of Genetic Parameters of Heat Tolerance for Production Traits in Canadian Holsteins Cattle

by Ivan L. Campos, Tatiane C. S. Chud, Gerson A. Oliveira Junior, Christine F. Baes, Ángela Cánovas and Flavio S. Schenkel

Animals 2022, 12(24), 3585; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12243585 - 19 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2064

Abstract

Understanding how cows respond to heat stress has helped to provide effective herd management practices to tackle this environmental challenge. The possibility of selecting animals that are genetically more heat tolerant may provide additional means to maintain or even improve the productivity of the Canadian dairy industry, which is facing a shifting environment due to climate changes. The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters for heat tolerance of milk, fat, and protein yields in Canadian Holstein cows. A total of 1.3 million test-day records from 195,448 first-parity cows were available. A repeatability test-day model fitting a reaction norm on the temperature-humidity index (THI) was used to estimate the genetic parameters. The estimated genetic correlations between additive genetic effect for production and for heat tolerance ranged from −0.13 to −0.21, indicating an antagonistic relationship between the level of production and heat tolerance. Heritability increased marginally as THI increased above its threshold for milk yield (0.20 to 0.23) and protein yield (0.14 to 0.16) and remained constant for fat yield (0.17). A Spearman rank correlation between the estimated breeding values under thermal comfort and under heat stress showed a potential genotype by environmental interaction. The existence of a genetic variability for heat tolerance allows for the selection of more heat tolerant cows. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Heat Stress on Livestock and Adaptation Methods)

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14 pages, 610 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of High Heat Load Conditions on Blood Constituent Concentrations in Dorper, Katahdin, and St. Croix Sheep from Different Regions of the USA

by Dereje Tadesse, Amlan Kumar Patra, Ryszard Puchala and Arthur Louis Goetsch

Animals 2022, 12(17), 2273; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12172273 - 02 Sep 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1258

Abstract

Forty-six Dorper (DOR), 46 Katahdin (KAT), and 43 St. Croix (STC) female sheep (initial body weight of 58, 59, and 46 kg, respectively, SEM = 1.75; 3.3 ± 0.18 years of age, 2.6–3.7), derived from 45 commercial farms in four regions of the USA (Midwest, Northwest, Southeast, and central Texas), were used to evaluate responses in blood constituent concentrations to increasing heat load index (HLI) conditions. There were four sequential 2 weeks periods with target HLI during day/nighttime of 70/70 (thermoneutral zone conditions), 85/70, 90/77, and 95/81 in period 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. A 50% concentrate pelletized diet was fed at 53.3 g dry matter/kg body weight^0.75. The analysis of most constituents was for samples collected on the last day of the second week of each period at 13:00 h; samples for cortisol, thyroxine, and heat shock protein were collected in week 2 and 8. Previously, it was noted that resilience to high HLI conditions was greatest for STC, lowest for DOR, and intermediate for KAT. There were few effects of region. Other than hemoglobin concentration, there were no interactions between breed and period. Blood oxygen concentration was greatest (p < 0.05) among breeds for STC (5.07, 5.20, and 5.53 mmol/L for DOR, KAT, and STC, respectively; SEM = 0.114) and differed among periods (4.92, 5.26, 5.36, and 5.52 mmol/L for period 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively; SEM = 0.093). There were breed differences (i.e., main effects; p < 0.05) in glucose (50.0, 52.6, and 52.1 mg/dL; SEM = 0.76), urea nitrogen (17.2, 17.3, and 19.4 mg/dL; SEM = 0.33), creatinine (0.991, 0.862, and 0.802 mg/dL; SEM = 0.0151), total protein (6.50, 6.68, and 6.95 g/l; SEM = 0.017), triglycerides (28.4, 29.1, and 23.5 mg/dL; SEM = 0.87), and cortisol (6.30, 8.79, and 6.22 ng/mL for DOR, KAT, and STC, respectively; SEM = 0.596). Differences among periods (p < 0.05) were observed for lactate (27.9, 25.3, 27.8, and 24.0 mg/dL; SEM = 0.99), creatinine (0.839, 0.913, 0.871, and 0.917 mg/dL; SEM = 0.0128), total protein (6.94, 6.66, 6.60, and 6.65 g/l; SEM = 0.094), and cholesterol (60.2, 56.5, 58.3, and 57.6 mg/dL for period 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively; SEM = 1.26). In addition, the concentration of cortisol (7.62 and 6.59 ng/mL; SEM = 0.404), thyroxine (5.83 and 5.00 µg/dL; SEM = 0.140), and heat shock protein (136 and 146 ng/mL for week 2 and 8, respectively; SEM = 4.0) differed between weeks (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the lack of interaction between breed and period with different HLI conditions suggests that levels of these blood constituents were not highly related to resilience to high HLI. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Heat Stress on Livestock and Adaptation Methods)

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Review

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27 pages, 1747 KiB

Open AccessReview

Review of the Heat Stress-Induced Responses in Dairy Cattle

by Claudia Giannone, Marco Bovo, Mattia Ceccarelli, Daniele Torreggiani and Patrizia Tassinari

Animals 2023, 13(22), 3451; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13223451 - 09 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2767

Abstract

In the dairy cattle sector, the evaluation of the effects induced by heat stress is still one of the most impactful and investigated aspects as it is strongly connected to both sustainability of the production and animal welfare. On the other hand, more recently, the possibility of collecting a large dataset made available by the increasing technology diffusion is paving the way for the application of advanced numerical techniques based on machine learning or big data approaches. In this scenario, driven by rapid change, there could be the risk of dispersing the relevant information represented by the physiological animal component, which should maintain the central role in the development of numerical models and tools. In light of this, the present literature review aims to consolidate and synthesize existing research on the physiological consequences of heat stress in dairy cattle. The present review provides, in a single document, an overview, as complete as possible, of the heat stress-induced responses in dairy cattle with the intent of filling the existing research gap for extracting the veterinary knowledge present in the literature and make it available for future applications also in different research fields. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Heat Stress on Livestock and Adaptation Methods)

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