Correlation between blood, physiological and behavioral parameters in beef calves under heat stress

Abstract The aim of this study was to characterize posture behavior and truck microclimate of 2 to 8-week-old unweaned calves (59.1 ± 6.72 kg body weight) during 10 transports between December and September (one/month) from an assembly center in Dalry, Scotland to Northern Spain via a control post in Northern Ireland and an assembly center in France (Cherbourg). Average journey time was 105.8 h. A subset of 20 calves per transport were fitted with collars carrying a HOBO environmental logger (HOBO U12) to record the temperature and humidity at calf’ head level and an accelerometer (Axivity AX3) to record accelerations to assess the calf posture (resting, standing or in transition). Data were analyzed with JMP. During the transport, 60% of the time animals were standing, 28% of the time lying and 12% transitioning. Specifically, when the truck was in motion calves spent 82.8% of the time standing, when stationary 68.8% standing, when the truck was on the ferry standing time was 48.4% and at the control post and assembly center standing time was 45.1%.Transports from June to September (n = 4) had an average of 11.96 h (min: 5.17 h; max: 18.8 h) of temperatures greater than 30°C, an average of 25 h (min: 0 h; max: 55 h) of mild heat conditions (72 < THI < 79), and an average of 3.5 h (min: 0 h; max: 23 h) of moderate heat conditions (80 < THI < 89). The exposure to mild and moderate heat conditions occurred mainly during the time that the truck was stationary (waiting at ports) and when calves rested at the control post. Results from this study supports the need to evaluate the impact summer months journeys where animals spend over 30% of the time under heat stress, and the long-standing times on animal welfare.

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Identification of heat shock protein gene expression in hair follicles as a novel indicator of heat stress in beef calves

animal ◽

10.1017/s1751731120000075 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (7) ◽

pp. 1502-1509 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

W.S. Kim ◽

J. Ghassemi Nejad ◽

D.Q. Peng ◽

U.S. Jung ◽

M.J. Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Heat Stress ◽

Heat Shock ◽

Heat Shock Protein ◽

Protein Gene ◽

Hair Follicles ◽

Beef Calves ◽

Heat Shock Protein Gene

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PSXVI-39 Responses of growth performance, physiological and blood parameter to long-term heat stress in beef calves.

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/sky404.843 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 96 (suppl_3) ◽

pp. 384-385 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

W Kim ◽

J Lee ◽

D Peng ◽

J Conejos ◽

Y Jo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Blood Parameter ◽

Beef Calves

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Effects of Different Protein Levels on Growth Performance and Stress Parameters in Beef Calves Under Heat Stress

10.21203/rs.3.rs-631186/v2 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Won Seob Kim ◽

Jalil Ghassemi Nejad ◽

Dong Qiao Peng ◽

Yong Ho Jo ◽

Jongkyoo Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Blood Glucose ◽

Glutamic Acid ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Dietary Protein ◽

Hair Follicles ◽

Hsp70 Gene ◽

Beef Calves ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Stress Parameters

Abstract This study investigated the effects of dietary protein levels under various heat stress (HS) conditions on the growth performance and stress parameters in Korean native beef calves. Male calves (n = 40; initial BW = 202.2 ± 3.31 kg) were randomly assigned to climatic-controlled chambers with 3×3 factorial arrangements. Calves were assigned into three dietary protein levels (low protein; LP = 12.5%, medium protein; MP = 15%, and high protein; HP = 17.5%) and three stress levels (mild: temperature-humidity index (THI) = 74 to 76, moderate: THI = 81 to 83, and severe: THI = 89 to 91) with control (threshold: THI = 70 to 73 and dietary protein level 12.5%). The calves were subjected to ambient temperature (22 °C) for 7 days and subsequently to the temperature and humidity corresponding to the target THI level for 21 days. As a result, average daily gain (ADG) was decreased (P < 0.05) under severe HS level compared to the mild and moderate HS stress levels. However, HP increased ADG (P < 0.05) than moderate levels (LP) and severe levels (LP and MP). Under different HS levels (mild, moderate, and severe), HR, RT, and blood cortisol were increased compared to a threshold level, but no differences were observed in the parameters among various protein levels. Varied HS levels decreased the levels of blood glucose, NEFA, and amino acids (AAs) (lysine and glutamic acid) compared to a threshold (P < 0.05). But, the HP group resulted in increased levels of blood glucose, NEFA, and AAs (lysine and glutamic acid) compared to LP and MP groups under severe HS stress. The expression level of the HSP70 gene (P < 0.05) in PBMC and hair follicles was increased following an increase in moderate and severe HS levels. Also, HSP70 gene expression in the HP group was decreased compared with LP and MP groups under intense HS level. Overall, HS in Korean native beef calves exhibited negative effects on ADG, blood glucose, NEFA, and AA profile. However, 17.5% of dietary protein (HP) could compensate for the growth of heat-exposed Korean native beef calves through the regulation of homeostasis by protein and energy metabolism. Also, it was evident that adequate protein (HP) is used as a major nutrient for HSP70 synthesis in PBMC and hair follicles causing, a boost in the immune system of heat-exposed Korean native beef calves.

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Effects of Different Protein Levels on Growth Performance and Stress Parameters in Beef Calves Under Heat Stress

10.21203/rs.3.rs-631186/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Won Seob Kim ◽

Jalil Ghassemi Nejad ◽

Dong Qiao Peng ◽

Yong Ho Jo ◽

Jong Kyoo Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Blood Glucose ◽

Glutamic Acid ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Dietary Protein ◽

Hair Follicles ◽

Hsp70 Gene ◽

Beef Calves ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Stress Parameters

Abstract Background: This study investigated the effects of dietary protein levels under various heat stress (HS) levels on the growth performance and stress parameters in Korean native beef calves. Forty calves (body weight of 202.2 ± 3.31 kg) were randomly assigned to climatic-controlled chambers with 3×3 factorial arrangements. Treatment groups were three dietary protein levels (low protein; LP = 12.5%, medium protein; MP = 15%, and high protein; HP = 17.5%) and three stress levels (mild: temperature-humidity index (THI) = 74 to 76, moderate: THI = 81 to 83, and severe: THI = 89 to 91) with control (threshold: THI = 70 to 73 and dietary protein level 12.5%). The calves were subjected to ambient temperature (22 °C) for 7 days and subsequently to the temperature and humidity corresponding to the target THI level for 21 days.Results: As a result, average daily gain (ADG) was decreased (P < 0.05) under severe HS level compared to the mild and moderate HS stress levels. However, HP increased ADG (P < 0.05) than moderate levels (LP) and severe levels (LP and MP). Under different HS levels (mild, moderate, and severe), HR, RT, and blood cortisol were increased compared to a threshold level, but no differences were observed in the parameters among various protein levels. Varied HS levels decreased the levels of blood glucose, NEFA, and amino acids (AAs) (lysine and glutamic acid) compared to a threshold (P < 0.05). But, the HP group resulted in increased levels of blood glucose, NEFA, and AAs (lysine and glutamic acid) compared to LP and MP groups under severe HS stress. The expression level of the HSP70 gene (P < 0.05) in PBMC and hair follicles was increased following an increase in moderate and severe HS levels. Also, HSP70 gene expression in the HP group was decreased compared with LP and MP groups under intense HS level.Conclusions: Overall, HS in Korean native beef calves exhibited negative effects on ADG, blood glucose, NEFA, and AA profile. However, 17.5% of dietary protein (HP) could compensate for the growth of heat-exposed Korean native beef calves through the regulation of homeostasis by protein and energy metabolism. Also, it was evident that adequate protein (HP) is used as a major nutrient for HSP70 synthesis in PBMC and hair follicles causing a boost in the immune system of heat-exposed Korean native beef calves.

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