scholarly journals Using vaginal temperature to evaluate heat stress in dairy cattle

2005 ◽  
pp. 9-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Cvetkovic ◽  
John F. Smith ◽  
Joseph P. Harner ◽  
Michael J. Brouk
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Vaginal Temperature

scholarly journals Genotype-by-environment interaction in Holstein heifer fertility traits using single-step genomic reaction norm models

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Shi ◽  
Luiz Fernando Brito ◽  
Aoxing Liu ◽  
Hanpeng Luo ◽  
Ziwei Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Heat Tolerance ◽  
Reaction Norm ◽  
Single Step ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Critical Periods ◽  
Genotype By Environment ◽  
Fertility Traits

Abstract Background The effect of heat stress on livestock production is a worldwide issue. Animal performance is influenced by exposure to harsh environmental conditions potentially causing genotype-by-environment interactions (G × E), especially in highproducing animals. In this context, the main objectives of this study were to (1) detect the time periods in which heifer fertility traits are more sensitive to the exposure to high environmental temperature and/or humidity, (2) investigate G × E due to heat stress in heifer fertility traits, and, (3) identify genomic regions associated with heifer fertility and heat tolerance in Holstein cattle. Results Phenotypic records for three heifer fertility traits (i.e., age at first calving, interval from first to last service, and conception rate at the first service) were collected, from 2005 to 2018, for 56,998 Holstein heifers raised in 15 herds in the Beijing area (China). By integrating environmental data, including hourly air temperature and relative humidity, the critical periods in which the heifers are more sensitive to heat stress were located in more than 30 days before the first service for age at first calving and interval from first to last service, or 10 days before and less than 60 days after the first service for conception rate. Using reaction norm models, significant G × E was detected for all three traits regarding both environmental gradients, proportion of days exceeding heat threshold, and minimum temperature-humidity index. Through single-step genome-wide association studies, PLAG1, AMHR2, SP1, KRT8, KRT18, MLH1, and EOMES were suggested as candidate genes for heifer fertility. The genes HCRTR1, AGRP, PC, and GUCY1B1 are strong candidates for association with heat tolerance. Conclusions The critical periods in which the reproductive performance of heifers is more sensitive to heat stress are trait-dependent. Thus, detailed analysis should be conducted to determine this particular period for other fertility traits. The considerable magnitude of G × E and sire re-ranking indicates the necessity to consider G × E in dairy cattle breeding schemes. This will enable selection of more heat-tolerant animals with high reproductive efficiency under harsh climatic conditions. Lastly, the candidate genes identified to be linked with response to heat stress provide a better understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms of heat tolerance in dairy cattle.

scholarly journals PSVII-6 Effects of heat stress on proteolysis in dairy cattle skeletal muscle

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 168-168
Author(s):  
Melissa S Roths ◽  
Megan A Abeyta ◽  
Tori Rudolph ◽  
Brittany Wilson ◽  
Matthew B Hudson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Electric Heating ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Urea Nitrogen ◽  
Plasma Urea ◽  
E3 Ligases ◽  
Acclimation Period ◽  
Milk Urea

Abstract Heat stress (HS) occurs when internal body temperatures are elevated above a thermoneutral zone in response to extreme environmental temperatures. In the U.S. dairy industry, HS results in economic loss due to decreased feed intake, milk quality, and milk yield. Previous work has demonstrated increased plasma urea nitrogen in heat stressed dairy cattle which is thought to originate from increased skeletal muscle proteolysis, however this has not been empirically established. The objective of this investigation was to determine the extent to which HS promotes proteolysis in skeletal muscle of dairy cattle. We hypothesized HS would increase activation of the calpain and proteasome systems in skeletal muscle. To test this hypothesis, following a 3-d acclimation period in individual box stalls, all lactating dairy cows were held under thermoneutral (TN) conditions for 4-d for collection of baseline measures and then exposed to TN or HS conditions for 7-d followed by a biopsy of semitendinosus (n=8/group). To induce HS, cattle were fitted with electric heating blankets, which they wore for the duration of the heating period. This approach increased rectal temperature 1.1°C (P< 0.05), respiratory rate by 33 bpm (P< 0.05), plasma urea nitrogen by 19% (P=0.08) and milk urea nitrogen by 26% (P< 0.05), and decreased dry matter intake by 32% (P< 0.05) and milk production by 26% (P< 0.05) confirming HS. Contrary to our expectations, we discovered that calpain I and II abundance and activation, and calpain activity were similar between groups. Likewise, protein expression of E3 ligases, MafBx and Murf1, were similar between groups as was total ubiquitinated proteins and proteasome activity. Collectively, and counter to our hypothesis, these results suggest skeletal muscle proteolysis is not increased following 7-d of HS. These data question the presumed dogma that increased blood urea nitrogen is due to elevated proteolysis in skeletal muscle.

scholarly journals Connecting Metabolism to Mastitis: Hyperketonemia Impaired Mammary Gland Defenses During a Streptococcus uberis Challenge in Dairy Cattle

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Turner H. Swartz ◽  
Barry J. Bradford ◽  
Laman K. Mamedova
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Transcript Abundance ◽  
Raw 264.7 Cells ◽  
Mammary Tissue ◽  
Raw 264.7 ◽  
Post Challenge ◽  
Streptococcus Uberis ◽  
Secondary Objective ◽  
Vaginal Temperature

β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) has been associated with disease incidence in early lactation dairy cattle, but such associations do not demonstrate causation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effects of BHB during an intramammary Streptococcus uberis challenge. A secondary objective was to elucidate the mechanisms behind BHB effects on cytokine transcript abundance using the RAW 264.7 cell line. Late lactation multiparous dairy cows (n = 12) were continuously infused intravenously with either BHB to induce hyperketonemia (target concentration: 1.8 mM) or with saline (CON) for 72 h during a S. uberis intramammary challenge. Body temperature, dry matter intake (DMI), milk production, and milk S. uberis cfu were measured daily until one week post-challenge. Blood samples were collected during infusion to assess changes in metabolism (glucose, insulin, glucagon, NEFA, and cortisol) and systemic inflammation (IL-1β and SAA). Mammary biopsies were conducted at 72 h post-challenge to assess transcript abundance of inflammation-associated genes. BHB-infused cows exhibited a delayed febrile response, noted by a lesser vaginal temperature during the final day of infusion, followed by a greater vaginal temperature 6 d post-challenge. Consequently, BHB-infused cows had greater S. uberis cfu on d 4, 6, and 7 as compared to CON. Accordingly, BHB-infused cows consumed less DM, produced less milk, had reduced blood glucose, and had increased cortisol concentrations, however, no effects were seen on other systemic parameters or transcript abundance of inflammation-related genes in mammary tissue. To elucidate mechanisms behind the impaired immune defenses, RAW 264.7 cells were transfected with a GPR109A siRNA for 24 h and then treated with or without 1.8 mM BHB and challenged or left unchallenged with S. uberis for an additional 3 h. Transfection with siRNA reduced Gpr109a by 75%. Although BHB treatment did not significantly increase Il10, GPR109A knockdown as compared to the scrambled control reduced Il10 by 90% in S. uberis challenged macrophages treated with BHB, suggesting that macrophage immune responses to S. uberis can be altered via a GPR109A-dependent mechanism. Taken together, these data suggest that BHB altered the immune response promoting tolerance toward S. uberis rather than resistance.

scholarly journals Identification of Breed Differences in Known and New Fescue Toxicosis Associated Phenotypes in Charolais-and Hereford-Sired Crossbred Beef Cows

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 2830
Author(s):  
Kayla M. Lucas ◽  
Dawn A. Koltes ◽  
Laura R. Meyer ◽  
John D. Tucker ◽  
Donald S. Hubbell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Fescue Toxicosis ◽  
Phosphorus Concentration ◽  
Study Objective ◽  
Toxin Exposure ◽  
Fall Calving ◽  
Vaginal Temperature ◽  
Daily Gain

Beef cattle phenotypes are affected by the consumption of toxic fescue. Toxic fescue’s impact is dependent on heat stress and breed composition, with genetic variability for robustness to toxin exposure believed to exist within and across breeds. The study objective was to characterize the effect of fescue toxicosis across breeds for known and novel heat and fescue stress-associated phenotypes. One-hundred crossbred fall-calving Charolais- and Hereford-sired cows of parities 1–3 were allocated to graze either toxic fescue (n = 50), non-toxic fescue (n = 25), or a rotation between toxic and non-toxic fescue (n = 25) for 156 days. Phenotypes impacted by breed (genetics) included hair coat score (p < 0.0001), hair reduction/shedding rate (p < 0.05), rectal temperature (RT) (p < 0.0001), vaginal temperature (p < 0.05), serum phosphorus concentration (p < 0.02) and respiration rate (RR) (p < 0.003). Cows on toxic fescue experienced reduced hair shedding efficacy (p < 0.0001), higher vaginal temperatures (p < 0.0001), increased systolic blood pressure (p < 0.04), increased RR (p < 0.0001) and reduced average daily gain (p < 0.0001), compared to cows grazing non-toxic fescue. Calves born from cows with higher RT during the last third of gestation had higher RT at weaning (p < 0.02), indicating potential physiological effects of in utero heat stress. The study indicates that beef cows exhibit variable responses to toxic fescue within and across breeds which may impact future calf phenotypes.

Heat Stress in Dairy Cattle

2008 ◽  
pp. 88-94
Author(s):  
J. K. Shearer
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Dairy Cattle

scholarly journals A systematic review of non-productivity-related animal-based indicators of heat stress resilience in dairy cattle

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. e0206520 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Galán ◽  
Pol Llonch ◽  
Arantxa Villagrá ◽  
Harel Levit ◽  
Severino Pinto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Stress Resilience

scholarly journals 300 Efficacy of the measurements of the vaginal electrical resistance to determine the phase of the estrous cycle in lactating dairy cattle

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 138-138
Author(s):  
Martin G Maquivar ◽  
John Swain ◽  
Hannah Chiapetta ◽  
Tynnetta Stumvoll ◽  
Katelin Baker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cattle ◽  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Estrous Cycle ◽  
Electrical Resistance ◽  
Luteal Phase ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
Estrous Cycles ◽  
Follicle Diameter ◽  
Estrus Detection ◽  
Vaginal Temperature

Abstract Estrus detection in dairy cattle is an important factor that contributes to the reproductive efficiency. Lack and inaccuracy of heat detection are associated with increased days open, calving interval, economic loss and culling due to infertility. Efforts have been made to identify methods to assist in estrus detection. The objective of this study was to examine if vaginal electrical resistance (VER) measured by a commercial probe throughout the estrous cycle in lactating dairy cows aids to determine the onset of estrus. A total of 9 lactating Holstein cows were monitored for 2 – 3 estrous cycles, ultrasonography of the ovary, blood sample for progesterone and VER was assessed every other day during the luteal phase (LUT) and every day during the follicular phase (FOL). A total of 339 VER measurements were collected, 66 during the FOL phase and 273 corresponded to the LUT phase. Mean VER differed (P &lt; 0.001) between FOL (294.5 ± 51.3) and LUT (316.4 ± 46.2), similarly the progesterone concentration was different between the LUT and FOL phases (0.38 ± 0.24 ng/mL vs. 3.41 ± 2.08 ng/mL, respectively) (P &lt; 0.001). No differences were observed between the vaginal temperature of cows in LUT (38.2 ± 0.4 C°) or FOL phase (38.3 ± 0.3 C°). Cervix diameter differed (P &lt; 0.01) between FOL (35.9 ± 3.8 mm) and LUT (34.5 ± 3.4mm), VER has a significant relation (P &lt; 0.001) with the diameter of the Corpus luteum (279.8 + 1.54 x Cervix diameter). Similarly, VER had a significant relationship (P = 0.03) with diameter of the dominant follicle at estrus (355.2 + -3.9 x follicle diameter). These findings suggest that VER changes according to the phase of the estrous cycle, VER decreased during sexual receptivity and increased during the luteal phase. VER may improve the accuracy to diagnose heat in dairy cows.

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