Characterization of Short-Term Heat Stress in Holstein Dairy Cows Using Altered Indicators of Metabolomics, Blood Parameters, Milk MicroRNA-216 and Characteristics

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.

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Responses of dairy cows to short-term heat stress in controlled-climate chambers

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an16472 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 57 (7) ◽

pp. 1233 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

J. B. Garner ◽

M. Douglas ◽

S. R. O. Williams ◽

W. J. Wales ◽

L. C. Marett ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Experimental Period ◽

Dry Matter Intake ◽

Temperate Climate ◽

Short Term ◽

Temperature And Humidity ◽

Humidity Index

The objective of the present research was to describe the physiological and production responses of lactating dairy cows during and after sudden exposure to temperate-climate heat-wave conditions, compared with cows in thermoneutral conditions. Twelve lactating multiparous Holstein–Friesian dairy cows were housed in controlled-climate chambers for 4 days. Six were exposed to a short-term temperature and humidity challenge (THc, diurnal temperature and humidity fluctuations inducing moderate heat stress; temperature humidity index 74–84) and six cows were exposed to thermoneutral conditions (THn, temperatur humidity index 55–61). Cows were also measured during a 7-day pre-experimental and 14-day post-experimental period. Physiological indicators of heat stress were measured, including rectal and vaginal temperature and respiration rate, which indicated that the THc in controlled-climate chambers induced moderate heat stress. The cows exposed to the 4-day THc reduced their milk yield by 53% and their dry-matter intake by 48%, compared with the cows in the THn treatment. Milk yield of THc cows returned to pre-experimental milk yield by Day 7 and dry-matter intake by Day 4 of the post-experimental period. The short-term heat challenge induced metabolic adaptations by mobilising adipose tissue, as indicated by increased non-esterified fatty acids, and amino acids from skeletal muscle, as indicated by increased urea nitrogen to compensate for reduced nutrient intake and increased energy expenditure. Endocrine responses included greater prolactin concentrations, which is associated with thermoregulation and water metabolism. The cows exposed to THc displayed production and physical responses that facilitated lower metabolic heat production and greater heat dissipation in an attempt to maintain homeostasis during the short-term heat exposure. These results indicated that the conditions imposed on the cows in the controlled-climate chambers were sufficient to induce heat-stress responses and adversely affected production in the lactating dairy cow, and the delay between the return to normal feed intake and milk yield following the heat challenge suggests a period of metabolic recovery was occurring.

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Effects of Supplementing Rumen-Protected Methionine on Production Performance, Apparent Digestibility, Blood Parameters, Ruminal Metabolites and Economic Effectiveness in Lactating Holstein Dairy Cows

10.21203/rs.3.rs-526624/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jialin Wei ◽

Mengying Dou ◽

Shuai Liu ◽

Bichuan Yan ◽

Cuiyu Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Blood Parameters ◽

Milk Composition ◽

Economic Effectiveness ◽

Production Performance ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Holstein Dairy Cows

Abstract Background: Because of disadvantages of excessive dietary crude protein (CP), decreasing dietary CP of dairy cows has attracted the worldwide attention. Rumen protected methionine (RPM) supplementation can allow lower CP diets and is beneficial to milk production performance, N efficiency of cows and environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of reducing dietary CP and supplementing RPM on production, digestibility of nutrients, blood parameters, ruminal metabolites and economic effectiveness in lactating Holstein dairy cows. Results: A total of 96 lactating cows (63 ± 25 d in milk; 34.4 ± 5.74 kg/d of milk production; mean ± SD) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: diet containing 17.3% CP without RPM (control group; CON; n = 49); diet containing 16.4% CP with supplementing 15.0 g/d of RPM (treatment group; RPM; n = 47). No effect was observed of reducing dietary CP on milk yield and milk composition. The apparent digestibility of nutrients was similar between treatments. The results related to blood showed that cows in RPM group exhibited lower concentration of blood urea nitrogen than that in CON group (P < 0.001). Moreover, there were no differences between treatments on concentrations of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, globulin and albumin. In ruminal metabolites, microbial crude protein (MCP) of dairy cows in RPM group was higher compared with CON group (P = 0.006). Ruminal volatile fatty acid (VFA) contents were not changed by treatments except that the concentrations of butyrate and isovalerate of RPM group were higher than that of CON group at 2 h after feeding (P < 0.05). In addition, supplying the diet of 16.4% CP with RPM supplementation to cows could reduce feeding cost by 0.5 $/d per cow and boost net profits. Conclusions: Lower dietary CP with RPM supplementation did not limit milk yield, milk composition and apparent digestibility of nutrients, and could improve nitrogen utilization of dairy cows and synthesis of MCP in rumen, change VFA production at 2 h after feeding, as well as boost the economic benefits of the dairy farms.

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Impact of Heat Stress on Selected Parameters of Robotic Milking

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11113114 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 3114

Author(s):

Roman Gálik ◽

Gabriel Lüttmerding ◽

Štefan Boďo ◽

Ivana Knížková ◽

Petr Kunc

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Dairy Cow ◽

Performance Parameters ◽

New Knowledge ◽

Humidity Index ◽

Robotic Milking ◽

The Individual ◽

Two Parameters

The values of the temperature-humidity index and its influence on the performance parameters of dairy cows were monitored on four farms located in the southern part of the central Slovakia during a period of three years. The observed parameters included: the milk yield per cow per day, average milk speed and maximum milk speed. The thermal-humidity index was calculated based on a formula. The individual periods were divided according to the achieved THI. The results of dairy cows with a milk yield of 29 kg to 31 kg show that there is not a decrease in the milk yield per milking if the THI value is lower than 68. It was also found that there was a decrease in the milk yield per dairy cow in the robotic milking parlor for a THI value greater than 72. The influence of a THI value higher than 68 in these dairy cows results in a higher average milk speed, as well as a higher maximum milk speed. These two parameters are not yet in the main area of research interest. This study enriches the area with new knowledge, according to which dairy cows can show thermal stress by increasing the milk speed as well as the maximum milk speed.

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Evaluation of Biomarkers of Heat Stress by Using Automatic Health Monitoring System in Dairy Cows

10.20944/preprints202008.0513.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ramūnas Antanaitis ◽

Vida Juozaitienė ◽

Mindaugas Televičius ◽

Dovilė Malašauskienė

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Heat Stress ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Management Program ◽

Milk Traits ◽

Protein Ratio ◽

Time Body Weight ◽

Automatic Milking

The objective of this study was to evaluate biomarkers of heat stress (HS) from automatic milking system (AMS), the relationships between measurements of temperature-humidity index (THI) and reticulorumen ph and temperature and some automatic milking systems parameters in dairy cows (rumination time (RT), milk traits, body weight (BW) and consumption of concentrate (CC)) during summer period. The experiment was carried out on a dairy farm at 54.9587408, 23.784146. Lithuanian Black and White dairy cows (n=365) were selected. The cows were milked with Lely Astronaut® A3 milking robots with free traffic. The rations were calculated to meet physiological requirements of the animals. Daily milk yield, rumination time, body weight, milk fat and protein ratio were collected from the Lely T4C management program for analysis. The pH and temperature of the contents of cow reticulorumen were measured using specific smaX-tec boluses manufactured for animal care. The daily humidity and air temperature in the farm zone were obtained from the adjacent weather station (2 km away). According this study during HS, the higher THI had positive correlation with ML, which show tendencies to increase risk of mastitis, and decrease CC, RT, BW, MY, reticulorumen ph and F/P. Some biomarkers of HS can be milk yield, milk lactose, somatic cell count, concentrate conception, rumination time, body weight, reticulorumen ph and milk fat – protein ratio. We can recommend to monitoring these parameters in the herd management program to identify possibility of heat stress.

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Effects of Stocking Density on Milk Fatty Acids Composition and Oxidative Stability of Mid- and Late-Lactating Dairy Cows

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani8090148 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (9) ◽

pp. 148

Author(s):

Shixin Lin ◽

Jianxin Liu ◽

Kaiying Wang ◽

Diming Wang

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Standard Deviation ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Oxidation Stability ◽

Stocking Density ◽

Milk Fatty Acids ◽

Lactating Cows ◽

Lactating Dairy Cows

The objective of the current study was to investigate the effects of stocking density (SD) on the milk fatty acid profile and oxidation stability in mid- and late-lactating cows. Twenty-four multiparous mid-lactating Holstein dairy cows (milk yield = 34.5 kg/d (standard deviation 0.68), days in milk = 106 (standard deviation 2.2)) and 24 multiparous late-lactating animals (milk yield = 31.8 kg/d (standard deviation 0.98), DIM = 201 (standard deviation 3.5)) were allocated into 12 blocks based on parity, milk yield, and DIM and were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: mid-lactating cows with high SD (HSD, 100%), mid-lactating cows with low SD (LSD, 75%), late-lactating cows with HSD, and late-lactating cows with LSD. The experiment lasted for eight weeks. Lactation performance (milk yield and composition including fat, protein and lactose) was measured weekly. The milk fatty acids (FAs) profiles and oxidation stability indexes in milk were measured in the fourth day of the eighth week. Plasma variables were measured in the fourth day of fourth and eighth experimental weeks. Yield and composition (protein, fat and lactose) were not affected by SD in neither mid- nor late-lactating dairy cows. Among mid-lactating cows, LSD cows had higher contents of unsaturated FAs (total, C18:1 cis-9 and C18:2 cis-9 cis-12) and lower concentrations of saturated FAs (total, C14:0 and C16:0) in milk fat than those of the HSD animals. Moreover, LSD lowered SOD, GSH-px, and T-AOC activities and reduced the malonaldehyde content in the milk of mid-lactating cows compared with those of HSD cows. Mid-lactating cows under LSD had reduced cortisol and greater MDA contents in plasma than those of HSD cows. Our results suggested that the effect of SD on the milk FA profile and stability varied depending on lactation stages. In mid-lactating cows, although cows with LSD were less stressed, the milk they produced had lower oxidation stability due to the higher unsaturated FAs levels compared with that of HSD cows.

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Impact of heat stress on milk yield and composition in early lactation of Holstein Friesian crossbred cattle

Bangladesh Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.3329/bjas.v46i3.36314 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 46 (3) ◽

pp. 192-197 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

T Chanda ◽

GK Debnath ◽

KI Khan ◽

MM Rahman ◽

GC Chanda

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Rectal Temperature ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Lactation Period ◽

Early Lactation ◽

Cool Period ◽

Holstein Friesian ◽

Hot Season

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

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Lactation Associated Genes Revealed in Holstein Dairy Cows by Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA)

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11020314 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 314

Author(s):

Yongliang Fan ◽

Abdelaziz Adam Idriss Arbab ◽

Huimin Zhang ◽

Yi Yang ◽

Mudasir Nazar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Network Analysis ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Cytokine Signaling ◽

Potential Candidate ◽

Lactation Stage ◽

Holstein Dairy Cows

Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) is a novel approach that can quickly analyze the relationships between genes and traits. In this study, the milk yield, lactose, fat, and protein of Holstein dairy cows were detected in a lactation cycle. Meanwhile, a total of 18 gene expression profiles were detected using mammary glands from six lactation stages (day 7 to calving, −7 d; day 30 post-calving, 30 d; day 90 post-calving, 90 d; day 180 post-calving, 180 d; day 270 post-calving, 270 d; day 315 post-calving, 315 d). On the basis of the 18 profiles, WGCNA identified for the first time 10 significant modules that may be related to lactation stage, milk yield, and the main milk composition content. Genes in the 10 significant modules were examined with gene ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. The results revealed that the galactose metabolism pathway was a potential candidate for milk yield and milk lactose synthesis. In −7 d, ion transportation was more frequent and cell proliferation related terms became active. In late lactation, the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) might play a role in apoptosis. The sphingolipid signaling pathway was a potential candidate for milk fat synthesis. Dairy cows at 315 d were in a period of cell proliferation. Another notable phenomenon was that nonlactating dairy cows had a more regular circadian rhythm after a cycle of lactation. The results provide an important theoretical basis for the further molecular breeding of dairy cows.

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Feeding ruminally protected methionine to pre- and postpartum dairy cows: effect on milk performance, milk composition and blood parameters

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/1684-cjas ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 54 (No. 9) ◽

pp. 395-402 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

V. Kudrna ◽

J. Illek ◽

M. Marounek ◽

A. Nguyen Ngoc

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Milk Fat ◽

Essential Amino Acids ◽

Blood Parameters ◽

Milk Composition ◽

The Other ◽

Methionine Concentration ◽

Milk Performance ◽

Dietary Treatments

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of ruminally protected methionine (Mepron®, Degussa AG, Germany) in dairy cows. Three weeks before calving 36 cows (Holstein and Czech Fleckvieh breeds) were assigned to one of the two dietary treatments (M and O), and received a total mixed ration with protected methionine at 18.2 g per head per day or without this supplement. After calving, both groups were divided into two subgroups and fed a diet for dairy cows based on ensiled feeds and concentrates for 90 days. A half of the cows received protected methionine (subgroups MM and OM), the other cows were fed the same diet without protected methionine (subgroups MO and OO). Milk yield in cows fed protected methionine for the whole experiment duration (cows MM) was higher and feed intake was lower than in cows of the other groups. The effect of protected methionine on milk yield was not, however, statistically significant (P > 0.05). Effects of protected methionine on milk fat and protein were small and inconsistent. Supplemental methionine significantly increased the methionine concentration in serum (P < 0.05) while the methionine concentration in milk was not increased quite significantly (P < 0.10). Concentrations of essential amino acids in milk were significantly or marginally significantly higher in cows fed protected methionine. In summary, the supplementation of ruminally protected methionine at 18.2 g per head per day had beneficial, but small and mostly statistically insignificant effects on milk performance and milk composition.

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Seasonal heat stress alters the milk yield, antioxidative levels and serum metabolites in primiparous and 3 multiparous dairy cows

10.21203/rs.3.rs-696285/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Xue Chen ◽

Jia Nan Dong ◽

Ji Ye Rong ◽

Jun Xiao ◽

Wei Zhao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Yield ◽

Early Lactation ◽

Serum Metabolites ◽

Humidity Index ◽

Seasonal Heat ◽

Daily Milk Yield ◽

Metabolic Biomarkers ◽

Daily Milk

Abstract This study aimed to explore the seasonal heat stress affects the milk yield, antioxidative levels and serum metabolites in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows during early lactation. A total of two hundred dairy cows were selected according to their calving months (June, temperature humidity index (THI) =66.72; July, THI=70.30; August, THI=69.32; September, THI=67.20; October, THI=59.45). Blood samples were collected on day 0, 21, 50, 80, 100 after calving for serum oxidative status analysis and milk yield was recorded every day. The lower average daily milk yield in cows that calved in June and July (P<0.05), and average daily milk yield of multiparous cows was higher than that of primiparous cows that calved in the same month (P<0.05), suggesting that seasonal (June) heat stress negatively affected milk yield in both primiparous and multiparous cows at early lactation. Besides, 15 and 11 serum metabolites were changed in heat stress (average THI = 70.30) group compared with non heat stress (average THI = 59.45) group in primiparous cows and multiparous cows, respectively. These metabolites were mainly involved in the pathways of aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, and the metabolism of glycine, serine and threonine. These data suggested that heat stress negatively affected the milk yield and thus caused the the elevation of 2 the serum oxidative and antioxidative index Metabolic biomarkers associated with the heat stress 29 in serum were found 0 which providing the basement of evaluating indicator between heat stress and non heat stress groups in primiparous and multiparous cows.

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