Effects of chronic heat stress on lactational performance and the transcriptomic profile of blood cells in lactating dairy goats

2018 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Contreras-Jodar ◽  
Ahmed AK Salama ◽  
Soufiane Hamzaoui ◽  
Mario Vailati-Riboni ◽  
Gerardo Caja ◽  
...  

High temperature is a major stress that negatively affects welfare, health, and productivity of dairy animals. Heat-stressed animals are more prone to disease, suggesting that their immunity is hindered. Although productive and physiologic responses of dairy animals to heat stress are well known, there is still limited information on the response at the transcriptome level. Our objective was to evaluate the changes in performance and blood transcriptomics of dairy goats under heat stress. Eight multiparous Murciano-Granadina dairy goats in mid-lactation were assigned to 1 of 2 climatic treatments for 35 d. Treatments and temperature-humidity index (THI) were: (1) thermal neutral (TN: n = 4; 15–20 °C, 40–45%, THI = 59–65), and (2) heat stress (HS: n = 4; 12 h at 37 °C–40%, THI = 86; 12 h at 30 °C–40%, THI = 77). Rectal temperature, respiratory rate, feed intake and milk yield were recorded daily. Additionally, milk composition was evaluated weekly. Blood samples were collected at d 35 and RNA was extracted for microarray analyses (Affymetrix GeneChip Bovine Genome Array). Differences in rectal temperature and respiratory rate between HS and TN goats were maximal during the first 3 d of the experiment, reduced thereafter, but remained significant throughout the 35-d experimental period. Heat stress reduced feed intake, milk yield, milk protein and milk fat contents by 29, 8, 12, and 13%, respectively. Microarray analysis of blood revealed that 55 genes were up-regulated, whereas 88 were down-regulated by HS. Bioinformatics analysis using the Dynamic Impact Approach revealed that 31 biological pathways were impacted by HS. Pathways associated with leukocyte transendothelial migration, cell adhesion, hematopoietic cell lineage, calcium signaling, and PPAR signaling were negatively impacted by HS, whereas nucleotide metabolism was activated. In conclusion, heat stress not only negatively affected milk production in dairy goats, but also resulted in alterations in the functionality of immune cells, which would make the immune system of heat-stressed goats less capable of fending-off diseases.

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 350
Author(s):  
Soufiane Hamzaoui ◽  
Gerardo Caja ◽  
Xavier Such ◽  
Elena Albanell ◽  
Ahmed A. K. Salama

In a previous work, we observed that heat-stressed goats suffer reductions in milk yield and its contents of fat and protein. Supplementation with soybean oil (SBO) may be a useful strategy to enhance milk quality. In total, eight multiparous Murciano–Granadina dairy goats (42.8 ± 1.3 kg body weight; 99 ± 1 days of lactation) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with four periods; 21 d each (14 d adaptation, 5 d for measurements and 2 d transition between periods). Goats were allocated to one of four treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Factors were no oil (CON) or 4% of soybean oil (SBO), and controlled thermal neutral (TN; 15 to 20 °C) or heat stress (HS; 12 h/d at 37 °C and 12 h/d at 30 °C) conditions. This resulted in four treatment combinations: TN-CON, TN-SBO, HS-CON, and HS-SBO. Compared to TN, HS goats experienced lower (p < 0.05) feed intake, body weight, N retention, milk yield, and milk protein and lactose contents. However, goats in HS conditions had greater (p < 0.05) digestibility coefficients (+5.1, +5.2, +4.6, +7.0, and +8.9 points for dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber, respectively) than TN goats. The response to SBO had the same magnitude in TN and HS conditions. Supplementation with SBO had no effects on feed intake, milk yield, or milk protein content. However, SBO supplementation increased (p < 0.05) blood non-esterified fatty acids by 50%, milk fat by 29%, and conjugated linoleic acid by 360%. In conclusion, feeding 4% SBO to dairy goats was a useful strategy to increase milk fat and conjugated linoleic acid without any negative effects on intake, milk yield, or milk protein content. These beneficial effects were obtained regardless goats were in TN or HS conditions.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2449
Author(s):  
Soufiane Hamzaoui ◽  
Gerardo Caja ◽  
Xavier Such ◽  
Elena Albanell ◽  
Ahmed A. K. Salama

Heat-stressed dairy animals increase their reliance on glucose. This elevated glucose demand is partially met by increasing the conversion of glucogenic amino acids (AA) in the liver. Propylene glycol (PG) is a glucogenic precursor and was not tested in dairy goats under thermoneutral (TN) and heat stress (HS) conditions simultaneously. We hypothesize that if HS-goats are fed with PG, they would get more glucose and consequently spare more glucogenic AA for milk protein synthesis rather than gluconeogenesis. Eight multiparous dairy goats (40.8 ± 1.1 kg body weight; 84 ± 1 days in milk) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design of 4 periods; 21 d each (14 d adaptation, 5 d for measurements, and 2 d of transition). Goats were allocated to one of 4 treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Factors were control (CO) without PG or 5% of PG, and thermoneutral (TN; 15 to 20 °C) or heat stress (HS; 12 h/d at 37 °C and 12 h/d at 30 °C) conditions. Feed intake, rectal temperature, respiratory rate, milk yield, milk composition, and blood metabolites were measured. Compared to TN, HS goats had lower (p < 0.01) feed intake (–34%), fat-corrected milk (–15%), and milk fat (–15%). Heat-stressed goats also tended (p < 0.10) to produce milk with lower protein (–11%) and lactose (–4%) contents. Propylene glycol increased blood glucose (+7%; p < 0.05), blood insulin (+37%; p < 0.10), and body weight gain (+68%; p < 0.05), but decreased feed intake (–9%; p < 0.10) and milk fat content (–23%; p < 0.01). Furthermore, blood non-esterified fatty acids (–49%) and β-hydroxybutyrate (–32%) decreased (p < 0.05) by PG. In conclusion, supplementation of heat-stressed dairy goats with propylene glycol caused milk fat depression syndrome, but reduced body weight loss that is typically observed under HS conditions. Supplementation with lower doses of PG would avoid the reduced feed intake and milk fat depression, but this should be tested.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2383
Author(s):  
Wellington Coloma-García ◽  
Nabil Mehaba ◽  
Xavier Such ◽  
Gerardo Caja ◽  
Ahmed A. K. Salama

Low winter temperatures in some regions have a negative impact on animal performance, behavior, and welfare. The objective of this study was to evaluate some physiological, metabolic, and lactational responses of dairy goats exposed to cold temperatures for 3 weeks. Eight Murciano-Granadina dairy goats (41.8 kg body weight, 70 days in milk, and 2.13 kg/day milk) were used from mid-January to mid-March. Goats were divided into 2 balanced groups and used in a crossover design with 2 treatments in 2 periods (21 days each, 14 days adaptation and 7 days for measurements). After the first period, goats were switched to the opposite treatment. The treatments included 2 different controlled climatic conditions with different temperature-humidity index (THI) values. The treatments were: thermoneutral conditions (TN; 15 to 20 °C, 45% humidity, THI = 58 to 65), and cold temperature (CT; −3 to 6 °C, 63% humidity, THI = 33 to 46). Goats were fed ad libitum a total mixed ration (70% forage and 30% concentrate) and water was freely available. Goats were milked at 0800 and 1700 h. Dry matter intake, water consumption, rectal temperature, and respiratory rate were recorded daily (days 15 to 21). Body weight was recorded at the start and end of each period. Milk samples for composition were collected on 2 consecutive days (days 20 and 21). Insulin, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured in blood on d 21. Compared to TN goats, CT goats had similar feed intake, but lower water consumption (−22 ± 3%), respiratory rate (−5 ± 0.8 breaths/min), and rectal temperature (−0.71 ± 0.26 °C). Milk yield decreased by 13 ± 3% in CT goats, but their milk contained more fat (+13 ± 4%) and protein (+14 ± 5%), and consequently the energy-corrected milk did not vary between TN and CT goats. The CT goats lost 0.64 kg of body weight, whereas TN goats gained 2.54 kg in 21 days. Blood insulin and cholesterol levels were not affected by CT. However, values of blood glucose, NEFA, hematocrit, and hemoglobin increased or tended to increase by CT, whereas BHB and triglycerides decreased. Overall, CT goats produced less but concentrated milk compared to TN goats. Despite similar feed intake and blood insulin levels CT goats had increased blood glucose and NEFA levels. The tendency of increased blood NEFA indicates that CT goats mobilized body fat reserves to cover the extra energy needed for heat production under cold conditions.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 192-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
T Chanda ◽  
GK Debnath ◽  
KI Khan ◽  
MM Rahman ◽  
GC Chanda

The aim of the study was to know the effect of heat stress on milk yield and its composition of Holstein Friesian crossbred dairy cows rearing under intensive management system.Heat stress in dairy cows is caused by a combination of environmental factors i.e. temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation and air movement, etc. Grading-up of local cattle by temperate breeds for greater performance results to increase the sensitivity to heat stress. The trial was conducted during hot (May-July) and cool period (December-February) on a total of 12 crossbred dairy cows in early lactation period (first 60 days of lactation). The selected cows were divided into two groups namely as G1 (Holstein-Friesian 50% × Local 50%) and G2 (Holstein-Friesian 75% × Local 25%) and each group containing three cows of 3rd lactation in both periods of trail. Cows of each group were offered same quality and quantity of feed and reared in same management condition in both the trail periods. The mean average temperature humidity index (THI) of the stanchion barn were 70.83± 0.535 and 83.87± 0.375 in cool and hot period, respectively. The differences of THI of cool and hot season was significant (p<0.05). The average rectal temperature (0F) of G1 group was 101.51± 0.027and 102.15±0.049 in cool and hot period, respectively. On the other hand, the average rectal temperature (0F) of G2 group was 101.68± 0.035 and 102.5±0.052 in cool and hot period, respectively. The differences of rectal temperature of both groups between cool and hot season were significant (p<0.05). The average milk yield (Liter/day) of both groups was significantly (p<0.05) higher in cool period (14.92±0.019 and 19.54± 0.116 for G1 and G2 group, respectively) than in hot period (12.84±0.152 and 15±0.137 for G1 and G2 group, respectively). The milk yield of G2 group hampered more compare to G1 group due to higher THI during hot season. The milk fat, protein and lactose of both groups were significantly higher (p<0.05) during lower THI period compare to higher THI period, while the higher values of minerals detected in higher THI period but the differences were not statistically significant (p<0.05). From the result it is evident that the milk yield and composition are greatly affected by the heat stress during early lactation period.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2017. 46 (3): 192-197


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 455-456
Author(s):  
Luana P Ribeiro ◽  
Ryszard Puchala ◽  
Terry A Gipson ◽  
Raquel V Lourencon ◽  
Arthur L Goetsch

Abstract The objective was to determine if effects of different limited feed access treatments on performance by lactating Alpine dairy goats vary with dietary concentrate level. Primiparous (29; 55.2±0.8 kg BW) and multiparous Alpine goats (29; 70.2±1.06 kg) were used in a 24-wk study of 3 8-wk phases beginning at 7.1±0.37 d after kidding. Diets of 40 or 60% concentrate (40C and 60C, respectively) were offered free choice in Calan gate feeders, with access continuously (CON), for 8 h between morning and afternoon milkings (DAY), or for 2 h after each milking (FRH). Although there were many interactions involving phase, ADG during the entire study was greater for CON vs. FRH (P &lt; 0.05; -20, -41, and -61 g for CON, DAY, and FRH, respectively; SEM = 8.6). Intake of DM also was greater for CON than for FRH (P &lt; 0.05; 2.17, 2.03, 2.01, 2.29, 2.07, and 1.80 kg/d for 40C-CON, 40C-DAY, 40C-FRH, 60C-CON, 60C-DAY, and 60C-FRH, respectively; SEM=0.093). There were interactions (P &lt; 0.02) between concentrate level and access treatment in milk yield (2.55, 2.41, 2.61, 3.21, 2.66, and 2.27 kg/d; SEM=0.103) and protein concentration (2.65, 2.55, 2.60, 2.67, 2.70, and 2.49%; SEM = 0.042), and milk fat concentration was greatest among treatments (P &lt; 0.05) for FRH (2.79, 2.77, 3.18, 2.86, 2.89, and 3.02% for 40C-CON, 40C-DAY, 40C-FRH, 60C-CON, 60C-DAY, and 60C-FRH, respectively; SEM=0.103). As a consequence, milk energy yield was 6.14, 5.70, 6.67, 7.83, 6.58, and 5.61 MJ/d (SEM=0.251) and the ratio of milk energy to DMI was 3.01, 2.87, 3.37, 3.47, 3.28, and 3.18 MJ/kg for 40C-CON, 40C-DAY, 40C-FRH, 60C-CON, 60C-DAY, and 60C-FRH, respectively; SEM=0.123). Overall, limited feeder access treatments did not improve performance and, in fact, the shortest access treatment increased BW loss; however, efficiency of feed DM usage for milk energy yield was not adversely impacted.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 722
Author(s):  
Jang-Hoon Jo ◽  
Jalil Ghassemi Nejad ◽  
Dong-Qiao Peng ◽  
Hye-Ran Kim ◽  
Sang-Ho Kim ◽  
...  

This study aims to characterize the influence of short-term heat stress (HS; 4 day) in early lactating Holstein dairy cows, in terms of triggering blood metabolomics and parameters, milk yield and composition, and milk microRNA expression. Eight cows (milk yield = 30 ± 1.5 kg/day, parity = 1.09 ± 0.05) were homogeneously housed in environmentally controlled chambers, assigned into two groups with respect to the temperature humidity index (THI) at two distinct levels: approximately ~71 (low-temperature, low-humidity; LTLH) and ~86 (high-temperature, high-humidity; HTHH). Average feed intake (FI) dropped about 10 kg in the HTHH group, compared with the LTLH group (p = 0.001), whereas water intake was only numerically higher (p = 0.183) in the HTHH group than in the LTLH group. Physiological parameters, including rectal temperature (p = 0.001) and heart rate (p = 0.038), were significantly higher in the HTHH group than in the LTLH group. Plasma cortisol and haptoglobin were higher (p < 0.05) in the HTHH group, compared to the LTLH group. Milk yield, milk fat yield, 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM), and energy-corrected milk (ECM) were lower (p < 0.05) in the HTHH group than in the LTLH group. Higher relative expression of milk miRNA-216 was observed in the HTHH group (p < 0.05). Valine, isoleucine, methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, lactic acid, 3-phenylpropionic acid, 1,5-anhydro-D-sorbitol, myo-inositol, and urea were decreased (p < 0.05). These results suggest that early lactating cows are more vulnerable to short-term (4 day) high THI levels—that is, HTHH conditions—compared with LTLH, considering the enormous negative effects observed in measured blood metabolomics and parameters, milk yield and compositions, and milk miRNA-216 expression.


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 339
Author(s):  
Musa Bah ◽  
Muhammad Afzal Rashid ◽  
Khalid Javed ◽  
Talat Naseer Pasha ◽  
Muhammad Qamer Shahid

Water buffaloes wallow in water to combat heat stress during summer. With the decreasing reservoirs for wallowing, the farmers use sprinklers to cool the buffaloes in Pakistan. These sprinklers use a large quantity of groundwater, which is becoming scarce. The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of different sprinkler flow rates on the physiological, behavioral, and production responses of Nili Ravi buffaloes during summer. Eighteen buffaloes were randomly subjected to three sprinkler flow rate treatments in a double replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design. The flow rates were 0.8, 1.25, and 2.0 L/min. During the study, the average afternoon temperature humidity index was 84.6. The 1.25 and 2.0 L/min groups had significantly lower rectal temperature and respiratory rates than the 0.8 L/min group. Water intake was significantly higher in the 0.8 L/min group. Daily milk yield was higher in the 1.25 and 2.0 L/min groups than in the 0.8 L/min group. These results suggested that the sprinkler flow rates > 0.8 L/min effectively cooled the buffaloes. The sprinkler flow rate of 1.25 L/min appeared to be more efficient, as it used 37.5% less water compared to the 2.0 L/min.


1990 ◽  
Vol 38 (3B) ◽  
pp. 487-498
Author(s):  
H. de Visser ◽  
P.L. van der Togt ◽  
S. Tamminga

A feeding trial was carried out with 64 multiparous dairy cows, in which the effect of type of carbohydrate in concentrate mixtures (starch vs. cell wall constituents) and differences in rumen degradation (fast vs. slow) on feed intake and milk yield were studied. The experiment started immediately after parturition and lasted for 15 wk. The basal diet, which comprised 75% of the total DM intake, consisted of wilted grass silage, maize silage and concentrates. The remaining part of the diet consisted of barley (B), maize (M), pressed ensiled beet pulp (P) or moist ensiled maize bran (MB). All diets were given as totally mixed rations. Total intake of DM and net energy did not differ between diets, but differences were found in energy partition. There was a tendency for cows given diet B to show increased liveweight gain, while cows given P mobilized more body reserves compared with the other treatments. Milk yield did not differ between diets, but milk fat content was higher for diet P. Milk protein content was higher for diets B and M compared with P and MB. The lower protein content of the milk of treatment P can be explained by a longer period of negative energy balance, while the lower milk protein in cows given diet MB probably resulted from reduced microbial protein synthesis. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)


1977 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 653-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. R. SHARMA ◽  
J. R. INGALLS ◽  
J. A. MCKIRDY

In experiment 1, 12 cows were used to compare the two (0–0) rapeseed meal (1788 and Tower) varieties with the commercial rapeseed meal (CRSM) and soybean meal (SBM). Feed intake, milk yield and fat content were not different (P > 0.05) among the four treatments; however, protein content was higher (P < 0.05) for the cows fed CRSM and SBM diets than for those fed the 1788–RSM diet. But more (P < 0.05) milk fat was produced by the cows fed 1788–RSM than by those fed CRSM and SBM diets. In experiment 2, eight cows were used to determine the effects of replacing SBM with Tower and also replacing a portion of Tower with urea (TU) in a mixed or extruded (TUE) form on feed intake, milk yield and nitrogen (N) retention. No differences were observed in feed consumption, milk yield or composition among the treatments. Serum thyroxine (T4) level was higher (P < 0.05) for the cows fed SBM than for those fed the 1788–SBM and was similar to levels for cows fed CRSM and Tower in the first experiment. However, no differences were found in thyroxine level in the second experiment. Extrusion of Tower–urea mixture increased (P < 0.05) the N retention compared with other treatments. These short-term studies suggest that up to 25% Tower RSM can be used in dairy rations without adverse effect on performance.


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