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Thermal stress—Thermoregulatory and Adaptive Responses of Livestock

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2021) | Viewed by 82042

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Alfredo Manuel Franco Pereira

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MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada (IIFA), University of Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
Interests: adaptive physiology and behaviour; heat stress; animal welfare; tropical livestock production

Prof. Dr. Cristiane Titto

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Laboratório de Biometeorologia e Etologia, FZEA-USP, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga 13635-900, SP, Brazil
Interests: heat stress; cellular stress responses
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Ana Geraldo

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Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Institute for Advanced Studies and Research, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
Interests: heat stress; cellular stress responses; animal behaviour; animal production and meat quality

Prof. Dr. Henrique Hooper

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Guest Editor

Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo, Pirassununga, 13635-900 São Paulo, Brazil
Interests: animal welfare; adaptative physiology; heat stress; livestock production

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Climate change is considered a significant threat to the survival of many species, ecosystems, and the sustainability of livestock production systems in numerous regions of the world. The thermal environment is the most significant factor determining the growth, reproduction, and performance of domestic animals.

Thermoregulatory responses may differ in intensity and time depending on the type of thermal stimuli, as well as to the specific animal’s anatomical characteristics. Short-term physiological responses are often caused by acute stressors like a heat wave, for example, while the long-term responses may be due to chronic stressors. Differences of anatomical and physiological features across species have led to different specialization of heat exchange, leading to distinct thermal tolerance.

Variations in the specific surface, conductance and coat characteristics are essential for the differences in heat exchange observed. Also, the ability to lose more latent heat provides a putative advantage for overcoming more challenging hot environments. Also, livestock combines the thermoregulation and cellular metabolism for adaptive thermogenesis. These two pathways are linked to the autonomic sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine system. Nevertheless, thermal plasticity and degree of acclimation are crucial factors determining the ability of animals to respond to environmental change and maintain its homeostasis.

We invite original papers (i.e., research articles and review articles) that address the thermoregulatory and adaptive responses of livestock and wild ruminants to thermal stress. The topics of the Special Issue “Thermal stress - Thermoregulatory and adaptive responses of livestock” include thermoregulation, adaptive behaviour, cellular responses, reproduction and health, performance under thermal stress, acclimatization, and adaptation.

Kind regards,

Prof. Alfredo Manuel Franco Pereira
Prof. Cristiane Titto
Prof. Ana Geraldo
Prof. Henrique Hooper
Guest Editors

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

thermal stress
adaptive behavior
cellular responses
production performance
livestock
wild ruminants

Published Papers (13 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 449 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Different Water Cooling Treatments on Changes in Rectal and Surface Body Temperature in Leisure Horses after Medium-Intensity Effort

by Iwona Janczarek, Anna Wiśniewska, Ewelina Tkaczyk, Elżbieta Wnuk-Pawlak, Beata Kaczmarek, Marta Liss-Szczepanek and Witold Kędzierski

Animals 2022, 12(4), 525; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12040525 - 21 Feb 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3047

Abstract

Cooling a horse after intensive exercise under hot conditions is commonly recommended. The study aimed to analyze changes in the rectal and surface temperature of the horses subjected to various water cooling treatments. This followed medium-intensity exercise performed by leisure horses under moderate air temperature. The experiment involved a control group without water application, and three variants of water cooling applied to 19 warmblood geldings after medium-intensity effort. Cooling of lower, upper, and lower and upper body parts was performed. In each variant, the rectal and body surface temperatures were measured five times: before; immediately after; and 10, 20, and 30 min after effort. Using water cooling under the studied conditions did not influence a post-exercise decrease in the rectal temperature. The decrease in body surface temperature depended on the used variant of cooling down the horse. Cooling the limbs by pouring water several times changed the surface body temperature from 34.2 ± 0.37 °C to 32.0 ± 0.32 °C and was more efficient than the repeated application of cool water on both the upper and lower body parts, leading to a temperature change from 34.6 ± 0.26 °C to 33.2 ± 0.36 °C. Thus, the application of cold water on the limbs only is sufficient for cooling the horse after medium-intensity exercise under moderate air temperature (about 24 °C). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal stress—Thermoregulatory and Adaptive Responses of Livestock)

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14 pages, 2609 KiB

Open AccessArticle

RNA-Seq Analysis of the Key Long Noncoding RNAs and mRNAs Related to the Regulation of Acute Heat Stress in Rainbow Trout

by Chang-Qing Zhou, Wei Ka, Hui-Jun Zhang, Ya-Lan Li, Pan Gao, Rui-Jun Long, Shun-Wen Yang and Jian-Lin Wang

Animals 2022, 12(3), 325; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030325 - 29 Jan 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2501

Abstract

As the global climate warms, more creatures are threatened by high temperatures, especially cold-water fish such as rainbow trout. Evidence has demonstrated that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a pivotal role in regulating heat stress in animals, but we have little understanding of this regulatory mechanism. The present study aimed to identify potential key lncRNAs involved in regulating acute heat stress in rainbow trout. lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles of rainbow trout head kidney were analyzed via high-throughput RNA sequencing, which exhibited that 1256 lncRNAs (802 up-regulation, 454 down-regulation) and 604 mRNAs (353 up-regulation, 251 down-regulation) were differentially expressed. These differentially expressed genes were confirmed to be primarily associated with immune regulation, apoptosis, and metabolic process signaling pathways through Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis and coding-noncoding co-expression network analysis. These results suggested that 18 key lncRNA-mRNA pairs are essential in regulating acute heat stress in rainbow trout. Overall, these analyses showed the effects of heat stress on various physiological functions in rainbow trout at the transcriptome level, providing a theoretical basis for improving the production and breeding of rainbow trout and the selection of new heat-resistant varieties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal stress—Thermoregulatory and Adaptive Responses of Livestock)

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10 pages, 540 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in the Spectrum of Free Fatty Acids in Blood Serum of Dairy Cows during a Prolonged Summer Heat Wave

by Roman Mylostyvyi, Veerasamy Sejian, Olena Izhboldina, Olena Kalinichenko, Lina Karlova, Olena Lesnovskay, Natalia Begma, Oleh Marenkov, Vadym Lykhach, Svitlana Midyk, Nikolay Cherniy, Bogdan Gutyj and Gundula Hoffmann

Animals 2021, 11(12), 3391; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123391 - 27 Nov 2021

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2397

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of a prolonged hot period on the fatty acid (FA) composition in blood serum of dairy cows. Eighteen multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to the hyperthermia group (HYP, n = 8) in August (summer season) and the control group (CON, n = 10) in October (autumn season). Blood from animals of the HYP group was collected in one heat wave, which was preceded by a long period of heat stress (HS, temperature-humidity index (THI ≥ 72)). Blood from cows of the CON group was collected under thermal comfort conditions (THI < 68). The spectrum of free fatty acids (FFA) in the blood serum was analyzed by gas chromatography. The concentration of FFA increased, including saturated FAs and monounsaturated FAs, in the blood serum of cows under conditions of prolonged HS. This was associated with the mobilization of FA into the bloodstream from adipose tissue, as a consequence of negative energy balance. An increase in the ratio of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated FAs may indicate biomembrane dysfunction and adversely affect dairy cows. This study showed that prolonged periods of heat can affect the FA composition of blood. How much this leads to changes in the FA composition of milk and the quality of food products remains to be seen in further research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal stress—Thermoregulatory and Adaptive Responses of Livestock)

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10 pages, 265 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal Comfort Index for Lactating Water Buffaloes under Hot and Humid Climate

by Mengwei Li, Xin Liang, Zhenhua Tang, Faiz-ul Hassan, Lili Li, Yanxia Guo, Kaiping Peng, Xianwei Liang and Chengjian Yang

Animals 2021, 11(7), 2067; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11072067 - 11 Jul 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3728

Abstract

Heat stress results in serious performance losses and adversely affects animal health and welfare under various production systems. This study was conducted to develop a thermal comfort model for lactating buffaloes under hot and humid climate. Twenty Nili-Ravi buffaloes were randomly enrolled for this one-year study. Physiological parameters including rectal temperature (RT), respiratory rate (RR), and body surface temperature (BST) and environmental variables such as wet bulb temperature (WBT), dew point temperature (DPT), and black globe temperature (BGT) were recorded twice a week on each Tuesday and Thursday (n = 1602 and 1560, respectively) at 8:00 am and 2:30 pm. Moreover, ambient temperature (AT, °C) and relative humidity (RH, %), at an interval of every 30 min were recorded. We used a typical correlation analysis to build the index models for thermal comfort. The results revealed that AT positively correlated with BGT, WBT, DPT, BST, RT, and RR, while RH negatively correlated with RT. Moreover, a physiological index model consisting of BST, RT and RR (P1 = 0.578 × BST + 0.047 × RT + 0.429 × RR) and an environmental index model (E1 = 0.881 × AT + 0.194 × RH + 0.455 × BGT − 0.347 × WBT + 0.032 × DPT) proved to be a more accurate index as a pair to reveal the state of thermal comfort in lactating buffaloes. Moreover, these models correlated well with physiological variables, indicating that this this pair of index models can be used to effectively evaluate the thermal comfort in buffaloes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal stress—Thermoregulatory and Adaptive Responses of Livestock)

17 pages, 4016 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Blood Metabolites and Immune Cells in Holstein and Jersey Dairy Cows by Heat Stress

by Sang Seok Joo, Sang Jin Lee, Da Som Park, Dong Hyeon Kim, Bon-Hee Gu, Yei Ju Park, Chae Yun Rim, Myunghoo Kim and Eun Tae Kim

Animals 2021, 11(4), 974; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11040974 - 31 Mar 2021

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4357

Abstract

Owing to increasing global temperatures, heat stress is a major problem affecting dairy cows, and abnormal metabolic responses during heat stress likely influence dairy cow immunity. However, the mechanism of this crosstalk between metabolism and immunity during heat stress remains unclear. We used two representative dairy cow breeds, Holstein and Jersey, with distinct heat-resistance characteristics. To understand metabolic and immune responses to seasonal changes, normal environmental and high-heat environmental conditions, we assessed blood metabolites and immune cell populations. In biochemistry analysis from sera, we found that variety blood metabolites were decreased in both Holstein and Jersey cows by heat stress. We assessed changes in immune cell populations in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using flow cytometry. There were breed-specific differences in immune-cell population changes. Heat stress only increased the proportion of B cells (CD4–CD21+) and heat stress tended to decrease the proportion of monocytes (CD11b+CD172a+) in Holstein cows. Our findings expand the understanding of the common and specific changes in metabolism and immune response of two dairy cow breeds under heat stress conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal stress—Thermoregulatory and Adaptive Responses of Livestock)

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13 pages, 955 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermoregulatory Responses and Performance of Dairy Calves Fed Different Amounts of Colostrum

by Fernanda Lavinia Moura Silva, Evangelina Miqueo, Marcos Donizete da Silva, Thaís Manzoni Torrezan, Nathalia Brito Rocha, Márcia Saladini Vieira Salles and Carla Maris Machado Bittar

Animals 2021, 11(3), 703; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030703 - 05 Mar 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2359

Abstract

This study investigates the newborn thermoregulatory responses to cold and the performance of calves fed different colostrum volumes. Thirty newborn Holstein calves were blocked by birth body weight (BW; 39.4 ± 6.5 kg) and fed different high-quality colostrum volumes: 10%, 15%, or 20% of BW, which was split and fed at 2 and 8 h after birth. At 24 h of life, calves were placed in a chamber at 10 °C for 150 min. Skin and rectal temperature (RT), heart and respiratory rate, and shivering were measured every 15 min. Blood samples were taken every 30 min. After the cold challenge, calves were housed in ambient temperature (26.8 ± 5.9 °C), with free access to water and concentrate and received 6 L/d of milk replacer. Feed intake, fecal score, and RT were recorded daily, until 56 d of age. Blood samples, BW, and body measures were taken weekly. During the cold challenge, prescapular temperature and total serum protein were greater for calves fed 15% or 20%. Leukocytes increased preweaning, presenting higher values for calves fed 20%. Even though there was a benefit for the calf submitted to cold stress on the first day of life, feeding higher volumes of colostrum resulted in no differences in performance during the preweaning phase. Nevertheless, calves fed a higher volume of colostrum (20% BW) presented increased immune responses during the preweaning phase. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal stress—Thermoregulatory and Adaptive Responses of Livestock)

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20 pages, 3765 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Common and Differential Dynamics of the Function of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells between Holstein and Jersey Cows in Heat-Stress Environment

by Eun Tae Kim, Sang Seok Joo, Dong Hyeon Kim, Bon-Hee Gu, Da Som Park, Md Atikur Rahman, Jun Kyu Son, Beom Young Park, Sang Bum Kim, Tai-Young Hur and Myunghoo Kim

Animals 2021, 11(1), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010019 - 24 Dec 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3539

Abstract

Heat stress has been reported to affect the immunity of dairy cows. However, the mechanisms through which this occurs are not fully understood. Two breeds of dairy cow, Holstein and Jersey, have distinct characteristics, including productivity, heat resistance, and disease in high-temperature environments. The objective of this study is to understand the dynamics of the immune response of two breeds of dairy cow to environmental change. Ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA-seq) results were analyzed to characterize the gene expression change of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in Holstein and Jersey cows between moderate temperature-humidity index (THI) and high THI environmental conditions. Many of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified are associated with critical immunological functions, particularly phagocytosis, chemokines, and cytokine response. Among the DEGs, CXCL3 and IL1A were the top down-regulated genes in both breeds of dairy cow, and many DEGs were related to antimicrobial immunity. Functional analysis revealed that cytokine and chemokine response-associated pathways in both Holstein and Jersey PBMCs were the most important pathways affected by the THI environmental condition. However, there were also breed-specific genes and pathways that altered according to THI environmental condition. Collectively, there were both common and breed-specific altered genes and pathways in Holstein and Jersey cows. The findings of this study expand our understanding of the dynamics of immunity in different breeds of dairy cow between moderate THI and high THI environmental conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal stress—Thermoregulatory and Adaptive Responses of Livestock)

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20 pages, 1727 KiB

Open AccessArticle

To Provide a Double Feeder in Growing Pigs Housed under High Environmental Temperatures Reduces Social Interactions but Does Not Improve Weight Gains

by Tâmara Duarte Borges, Mariana Huerta-Jimenez, Nicolau Casal, Joel Gonzalez, Nuria Panella-Riera and Antoni Dalmau

Animals 2020, 10(12), 2248; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10122248 - 30 Nov 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1706

Abstract

Heat stress and competition for food are two major challenges in pigs reared in intensive conditions. The aim of the present work was to study the effect of providing a double feeder for pigs reared under two different environmental temperatures. In addition, two types of flooring, of 100% slat and 30% slat 70% concrete, were also considered. A total of 256 pigs in the growing-finishing period (from 27 kg to 110 kg) were housed using two environmental temperatures: control (from 18 °C to 25 °C) and heat stress (above 30 °C six hours a day). They were housed in 32 pens of 8 pigs each, distributed into 4 rooms (16 with one feeder and 16 with two). Pigs subjected to temperatures above 30 °C up to six hours had lower body weight gains than pigs subjected to a maximum temperature of 25 °C, confirming that thermal stress negatively affects performance in pigs. In addition, heat stress affected the final product by decreasing the lean percentage of carcasses by 2.6%. A double feeder reduced the presence of negative social behavior, especially in the feeding area, but body weight was lower than when one single feeder was used. A 30% slat 70% concrete floor showed better results in the pig stress indicators and body weights than 100% slat. It is concluded that providing a double feeder in the pens, although reducing the presence of negative social interactions, negatively affected body weight, in comparison to pigs fed with just one feeder. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal stress—Thermoregulatory and Adaptive Responses of Livestock)

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Review

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21 pages, 2577 KiB

Open AccessReview

Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) and Thermoregulation in Animals: Structural Biology and Neurophysiological Aspects

by Karina Lezama-García, Daniel Mota-Rojas, Alfredo M. F. Pereira, Julio Martínez-Burnes, Marcelo Ghezzi, Adriana Domínguez, Jocelyn Gómez, Ana de Mira Geraldo, Pamela Lendez, Ismael Hernández-Ávalos, Isabel Falcón, Adriana Olmos-Hernández and Dehua Wang

Animals 2022, 12(1), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12010106 - 02 Jan 2022

Cited by 27 | Viewed by 6451

Abstract

This review presents and analyzes recent scientific findings on the structure, physiology, and neurotransmission mechanisms of transient receptor potential (TRP) and their function in the thermoregulation of mammals. The aim is to better understand the functionality of these receptors and their role in maintaining the temperature of animals, or those susceptible to thermal stress. The majority of peripheral receptors are TRP cation channels formed from transmembrane proteins that function as transductors through changes in the membrane potential. TRP are classified into seven families and two groups. The data gathered for this review include controversial aspects because we do not fully know the mechanisms that operate the opening and closing of the TRP gates. Deductions, however, suggest the intervention of mechanisms related to G protein-coupled receptors, dephosphorylation, and ligands. Several questions emerge from the review as well. For example, the future uses of these data for controlling thermoregulatory disorders and the invitation to researchers to conduct more extensive studies to broaden our understanding of these mechanisms and achieve substantial advances in controlling fever, hyperthermia, and hypothermia. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal stress—Thermoregulatory and Adaptive Responses of Livestock)

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23 pages, 65109 KiB

Open AccessReview

Efficacy and Function of Feathers, Hair, and Glabrous Skin in the Thermoregulation Strategies of Domestic Animals

by Daniel Mota-Rojas, Cristiane Gonçalves Titto, Ana de Mira Geraldo, Julio Martínez-Burnes, Jocelyn Gómez, Ismael Hernández-Ávalos, Alejandro Casas, Adriana Domínguez, Nancy José, Aldo Bertoni, Brenda Reyes and Alfredo M. F. Pereira

Animals 2021, 11(12), 3472; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11123472 - 06 Dec 2021

Cited by 39 | Viewed by 8926

Abstract

The objective of this review is to describe and analyze the effect of feathers, hair, and glabrous (hairless) skin on the thermoregulation of domestic and endotherm animals, especially concerning the uses and scope of infrared thermography (IRT), scientific findings on heat and cold stress, and differences among species of domestic animals. Clinical medicine considers thermoregulation a mechanism that allows animals to adapt to varying thermal environmental conditions, a process in which the presence of feathers, hair, or glabrous skin influences heat loss or heat retention, respectively, under hot and cold environmental conditions. Evaluating body temperature provides vital information on an individual’s physiological state and health status since variations in euthermia maintenance in vertebrates reflect a significant cellular metabolism deviation that needs to be assessed and quantified. IRT is a non-invasive tool for evaluating thermal responses under thermal stress conditions in animals, where the presence or absence of feathers, hair, and glabrous skin can affect readings and the differences detected. Therefore, anatomical regions, the characteristics of feathers, hair, glabrous skin such as structure, length, color, and extension, and strategies for dissipating or retaining heat together constitute a broad area of opportunity for future research into the phenomena of dermal thermoregulation in domestic species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal stress—Thermoregulatory and Adaptive Responses of Livestock)

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33 pages, 30760 KiB

Open AccessReview

Pathophysiology of Fever and Application of Infrared Thermography (IRT) in the Detection of Sick Domestic Animals: Recent Advances

by Daniel Mota-Rojas, Dehua Wang, Cristiane Gonçalves Titto, Jocelyn Gómez-Prado, Verónica Carvajal-de la Fuente, Marcelo Ghezzi, Luciano Boscato-Funes, Hugo Barrios-García, Fabiola Torres-Bernal, Alejandro Casas-Alvarado and Julio Martínez-Burnes

Animals 2021, 11(8), 2316; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082316 - 05 Aug 2021

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 11381

Abstract

Body-temperature elevations are multifactorial in origin and classified as hyperthermia as a rise in temperature due to alterations in the thermoregulation mechanism; the body loses the ability to control or regulate body temperature. In contrast, fever is a controlled state, since the body adjusts its stable temperature range to increase body temperature without losing the thermoregulation capacity. Fever refers to an acute phase response that confers a survival benefit on the body, raising core body temperature during infection or systemic inflammation processes to reduce the survival and proliferation of infectious pathogens by altering temperature, restriction of essential nutrients, and the activation of an immune reaction. However, once the infection resolves, the febrile response must be tightly regulated to avoid excessive tissue damage. During fever, neurological, endocrine, immunological, and metabolic changes occur that cause an increase in the stable temperature range, which allows the core body temperature to be considerably increased to stop the invasion of the offending agent and restrict the damage to the organism. There are different metabolic mechanisms of thermoregulation in the febrile response at the central and peripheral levels and cellular events. In response to cold or heat, the brain triggers thermoregulatory responses to coping with changes in body temperature, including autonomic effectors, such as thermogenesis, vasodilation, sweating, and behavioral mechanisms, that trigger flexible, goal-oriented actions, such as seeking heat or cold, nest building, and postural extension. Infrared thermography (IRT) has proven to be a reliable method for the early detection of pathologies affecting animal health and welfare that represent economic losses for farmers. However, the standardization of protocols for IRT use is still needed. Together with the complete understanding of the physiological and behavioral responses involved in the febrile process, it is possible to have timely solutions to serious problem situations. For this reason, the present review aims to analyze the new findings in pathophysiological mechanisms of the febrile process, the heat-loss mechanisms in an animal with fever, thermoregulation, the adverse effects of fever, and recent scientific findings related to different pathologies in farm animals through the use of IRT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal stress—Thermoregulatory and Adaptive Responses of Livestock)

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23 pages, 9570 KiB

Open AccessReview

Clinical Applications and Factors Involved in Validating Thermal Windows Used in Infrared Thermography in Cattle and River Buffalo to Assess Health and Productivity

by Daniel Mota-Rojas, Alfredo M. F. Pereira, Dehua Wang, Julio Martínez-Burnes, Marcelo Ghezzi, Ismael Hernández-Avalos, Pamela Lendez, Patricia Mora-Medina, Alejandro Casas, Adriana Olmos-Hernández, Adriana Domínguez, Aldo Bertoni and Ana de Mira Geraldo

Animals 2021, 11(8), 2247; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082247 - 30 Jul 2021

Cited by 66 | Viewed by 9669

Abstract

Infrared thermography (IRT) is a non-ionizing, non-invasive technique that permits evaluating the comfort levels of animals, a topic of concern due to the growing interest in determining the state of health and welfare of production animals. The operating principle of IRT is detecting the heat irradiated in anatomical regions characterized by a high density of near-surface blood vessels that can regulate temperature gain or loss from/to the environment by modifying blood flow. This is essential for understanding the various vascular thermoregulation mechanisms of different species, such as rodents and ruminants’ tails. The usefulness of ocular, nasal, and vulvar thermal windows in the orbital (regio orbitalis), nasal (regio nasalis), and urogenital (regio urogenitalis) regions, respectively, has been demonstrated in cattle. However, recent evidence for the river buffalo has detected discrepancies in the data gathered from distinct thermal regions in these large ruminants, suggesting a limited sensitivity and specificity when used with this species due to various factors: the presence of hair, ambient temperature, and anatomical features, such as skin thickness and variations in blood supplies to different regions. In this review, a literature search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and PubMed, using keyword combinations that included “infrared thermography”, “water buffalo”, “river buffalo” “thermoregulation”, “microvascular changes”, “lacrimal caruncle”, “udder”, “mastitis”, and “nostril”. We discuss recent findings on four thermal windows—the orbital and nasal regions, mammary gland in the udder region (regio uberis), and vulvar in the urogenital region (regio urogenitalis)—to elucidate the factors that modulate and intervene in validating thermal windows and interpreting the information they provide, as it relates to the clinical usefulness of IRT for cattle (Bos) and the river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal stress—Thermoregulatory and Adaptive Responses of Livestock)

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27 pages, 6881 KiB

Open AccessReview

Physiological and Behavioral Mechanisms of Thermoregulation in Mammals

by Daniel Mota-Rojas, Cristiane Gonçalves Titto, Agustín Orihuela, Julio Martínez-Burnes, Jocelyn Gómez-Prado, Fabiola Torres-Bernal, Karla Flores-Padilla, Verónica Carvajal-de la Fuente and Dehua Wang

Animals 2021, 11(6), 1733; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11061733 - 10 Jun 2021

Cited by 76 | Viewed by 18238

Abstract

This review analyzes the main anatomical structures and neural pathways that allow the generation of autonomous and behavioral mechanisms that regulate body heat in mammals. The study of the hypothalamic neuromodulation of thermoregulation offers broad areas of opportunity with practical applications that are currently being strengthened by the availability of efficacious tools like infrared thermography (IRT). These areas could include the following: understanding the effect of climate change on behavior and productivity; analyzing the effects of exercise on animals involved in sporting activities; identifying the microvascular changes that occur in response to fear, pleasure, pain, and other situations that induce stress in animals; and examining thermoregulating behaviors. This research could contribute substantially to understanding the drastic modification of environments that have severe consequences for animals, such as loss of appetite, low productivity, neonatal hypothermia, and thermal shock, among others. Current knowledge of these physiological processes and complex anatomical structures, like the nervous systems and their close relation to mechanisms of thermoregulation, is still limited. The results of studies in fields like evolutionary neuroscience of thermoregulation show that we cannot yet objectively explain even processes that on the surface seem simple, including behavioral changes and the pathways and connections that trigger mechanisms like vasodilatation and panting. In addition, there is a need to clarify the connection between emotions and thermoregulation that increases the chances of survival of some organisms. An increasingly precise understanding of thermoregulation will allow us to design and apply practical methods in fields like animal science and clinical medicine without compromising levels of animal welfare. The results obtained should not only increase the chances of survival but also improve quality of life and animal production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal stress—Thermoregulatory and Adaptive Responses of Livestock)

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