The physiological and productivity effects of heat stress in cattle : a review

A trend of global warming has been observed over the last few years and it has often been dis-cussed whether there is an effect on livestock. numerous studies have been published about heat stress in cattle and its influence on the physiology and productivity of animals. Preventing the negative effects of heat stress on cattle is essential to ensure animal welfare, health and produc-tivity. Monitoring and analysis of physiological parameters lead to a better understanding of the adaptation processes. This can help to determine the risk of climate change and its effects on performance characteristics, e.g. milk yield and reproduction. This, in turn, makes it possible to develop effective measures to mitigate the impact of heat load on animals. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the current literature. studies especially about the physiological and productive changes due to heat stress in cattle have been summarised in this review. The direction of future research into the aspect of heat stress in cattle is also indicate

Comparative study of behavioural and milking traits in cows milked with a conventional or individual quarter milking system (Multilactor®) and with different milking persons

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of a new type of milking system on the behaviour of cows during milking by comparing a conventional milking system (CON) with an individual quarter milking system (MUL), MultiLactor®. Sixty-eight dairy cows were observed during their milking times (32 cows in CON, 36 cows in MUL) using video recordings to analyse their behavioural traits. The udder preparation duration, milking duration and milk yield were also evaluated. No significant differences were found between the CON and the MUL regarding cows' head posture (P=0.38), body posture (P=0.85), number of steps (P=0.08) and number of kicks (P=0.56). However, the milk yield was lower (P=0.02), just as the udder preparation duration (P<0.01) and milking duration (P=0.01) were shorter in the CON compared to the MUL. In addition, in regard to the milking person, differences were displayed in the head posture of the milked cows, kick-off or loss of teat cup or milking cluster, and frequency of udder preparation. In conclusion, the investigated milking systems did not markedly influence the behaviour of dairy cows; however, udder preparation duration, milking duration and milk yield were significantly greater for the MUL than for the CON. However, the milking person appears to have a greater impact on the behaviour of the cows than the milking system. © 2017 Sciendo. All Rights Reserved

Assessment of continuous vaginal logger-based temperature monitoring in fever-induced gilts

The aim of this study was to identify a low risk method to induce fever in gilts and to evaluate vaginal sensors for temperature monitoring. Therefore, a rhinitis atrophicans vaccine was used to induce fever to evaluate sensors and behavioral patterns. During 11 trials, two of four animals were injected with 2 mL of the vaccine Porcilis AR-T DF (Intervet) and the other two animals were treated with 2 mL of 0.9% NaCl as controls. A temperature logger (TRIX-8, LogTag Recorders, Auckland, New Zealand) was used to continuously monitor the vaginal temperature. Additionally, rectal temperatures were measured four times daily. The water consumption, food intake and locomotion behaviors of the animals were analysed one day before treatment and during the day of the treatment. The vaccine induced fever in all gilts, which occurred approximately 5.87 h after vaccination. The vaginal logger temperatures and the rectal temperatures showed a linear correlation in 21 vaccinated gilts (r = 0.86; p<0.0001) and 22 non-vaccinated gilts (r = 0.65; P<0.0001). The vaginal logger can be continuously used to measure the core temperature. Water intake decreased (p<0.0001) in the gilts with fever, whereas food intake did not change (p = 0.9411). The vaccinated gilts spent 79±16 more minutes per day lying after the vaccination (p<0.001) in comparison to the day before the vaccination. Treatment with this vaccine provides the opportunity to induce fever over a short time period (5.13 h) and mild sickness behavior in gilts to investigate disease indicators

Evaluation of a Respiration Rate Sensor for Recording Tidal Volume in Calves under Field Conditions

In the assessment of pulmonary function in health and disease, both respiration rate (RR) and tidal volume (Vt) are fundamental parameters of spontaneous breathing. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether an RR sensor, which was previously developed for cattle, is suitable for additional measurements of Vt in calves. This new method would offer the opportunity to measure Vt continuously in freely moving animals. To measure Vt noninvasively, the application of a Lilly-type pneumotachograph implanted in the impulse oscillometry system (IOS) was used as the gold standard method. For this purpose, we applied both measuring devices in different orders successively, for 2 days on 10 healthy calves. However, the Vt equivalent (RR sensor) could not be converted into a true volume in mL or L. For a reliable recording of the Vt equivalent, a technical revision of the RR sensor excluding artifacts is required. In conclusion, converting the pressure signal of the RR sensor into a flow equivalent, and subsequently into a volume equivalent, by a comprehensive analysis, provides the basis for further improvement of the measuring system

The effects of heat stress on the behaviour of dairy cows – a review

Heat stress in livestock is a function of macro- A nd microclimatic factors, their duration and intensity, the environments where they occur and the biological characteristics of the animal. Due to intense metabolic processes, high-producing dairy cows are highly vulnerable to the effects of heat stress. Disturbances in their thermoregulatory capability are reflected by behavioural, physiological and production changes. Expression of thermoregulatory behaviour such as reduction of activity and feed intake, searching for cooler places or disturbances in reproductive behaviours may be very important indicators of animal welfare. Especially maintenance of standing or lying position in dairy cattle may be a valuable marker of the negative environmental impact. Highly mechanized farms with large numbers of animals have the informatic system that can detect alterations automatically, while small family farms cannot afford this type of equipment. Therefore, observing and analysing behavioural changes to achieve a greater understanding of heat stress issue may be a key factor for developing the effective strategies to minimize the effects of heat stress in cattle. The aim of this review is to present the state of knowledge, over the last years, regarding behavioural changes in dairy cows (Bos taurus) exposed to heat stress conditions and discuss some herd management strategies providing mitigation of the overheat consequences

Influence of barn climate, body postures and milk yield on the respiration rate of dairy cows

The main objective of this study was to identify the influences of different climatic conditions and cow-related factors on the respiration rate (RR) of lactating dairy cows. Measurements were performed on 84 lactating Holstein Friesian dairy cows (first to eighth lactation) in Brandenburg, Germany. The RR was measured hourly or twice a day with up to three randomly chosen measurement days per week between 0700 h and 1500 h (GMT + 0100 h) by counting right thoracoabdominal movements of the cows. Simultaneously with RR measurements, cow body postures (standing vs. lying) were documented. Cows’ milk yield and days in milk were recorded daily. The ambient temperature and relative humidity of the barn were recorded every 5 min to calculate the current temperature-humidity index (THI). The data were analyzed for interactions between THI and cow-related factors (body postures and daily milk yield) on RR using a repeated measurement linear mixed model. There was a significant effect of the interaction between current THI category and body postures on RR. The RRs of cows in lying posture in the THI < 68, 68 ≤ THI < 72 and 72 ≤ THI < 80 categories (37, 46 and 53 breaths per minute (bpm), respectively) were greater than those of standing cows in the same THI categories (30, 38 and 45 bpm, respectively). For each additional kilogram of milk produced daily, an increase of 0.23±0.19 bpm in RR was observed. Including cow-related factors may help to prevent uncertainties of RR in heat stress predictions. In practical application, these factors should be included when predicting RR to evaluate heat stress on dairy farm

Anwendung der Infrarotthermografie bei ferkelführenden Sauen

In der Nutztierpraxis gilt die Rektaltemperatur als einer der wichtigsten Indikatoren für die Tiergesundheit. Die rektale Temperaturmessung ist jedoch zeitaufwendig und erfordert direkten Tierkontakt. Die Infrarotthermografie (IR-Thermografie) stellt hingegen eine nichtinvasive, kontaktlose Methode dar, um die Körpertemperatur zu messen. Ein Versuch an Sauen im Abferkelbereich unter Praxisbedingungen hat gezeigt, dass sich die Körperregionen Auge und Ohrrücken zur Erfassung der Körpertemperatur mittels IR-Thermografie gut eignen. Damit kann die IR-Thermografie einen wesentlichen Beitrag zur gezielten Krankheitsprävention und zur Verbesserung des Tierwohls ferkeIführender Sauen leisten.One of the most important disease indicators in livestock is the rectal temperature. This procedure is, compared to the infrared thermography, more time consuming and needs animal contact. The infrared thermography is a contactless and non-invasive method to detect the body temperature. Regarding to animal welfare the infrared thermography is a good method to detect the body temperature. A trial with sows in farrowing crates under practical conditions has shown that the body regions eye and back of the ear are appropriate localisations to record the body temperature using infrared thermography. Therefore the infrared thermography can provide an essential contribution to disease prevention and can improve the welfare of lactating sows

Viertelindividuelle Vakuumapplikation für moderne Melksysteme

Durch den Einsatz von viertelindividueller Melktechnik können die Bedingungen für Melkpersonal und Kühe erheblich verbessert werden. Die getrennte Schlauchführung für die Milch aus den vier Eutervierteln bietet deutliche Vorteile für die technische Weiterentwicklung dieser Melksysteme. Im Folgenden wird der Prototyp eines viertelindividuellen Melksystems mit Vakuumregelungseinheit vorgestellt, der eine milchflussabhängige, präzise Vakuumanpassung für jedes Euterviertel, verbunden mit einer hohen Rate von Sollwert-Istwert-Abgleichen durch die Regelungseinheit, ermöglicht.Using individual quarter milking systems can substantially improve the conditions for milkers and dairy cows. A separate conduction of the milk from the four udder quarters leads to distinctive benefits for the further technical development of these milking systems. A prototype of an individual quarter-wise working milking system with a vacuum control system allows a precise vacuum adjustment per quarter with a high response rate of the control system, based on the milk-flow of each udder quarter

Luftgeschwindigkeit und Hitzebelastung im Milchviehstall - Auswirkungen auf das Tierwohl

Das Stallklima hat einen wesentlichen Einfluss auf das Wohlbefinden und die Leistungsfähigkeit von Milchkühen. In der vorliegenden Untersuchung wurden Stallklimamessungen innerhalb und außerhalb eines frei gelüfteten Milchviehstalls, mit dem Fokus auf der Luftgeschwindigkeit im Fress- und Liegebereich, durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass die untersuchten Stallbereiche aufgrund der heterogen auftretenden Luftgeschwindigkeiten unterschiedlich belüftet wurden. Des Weiteren wurden die Stallklimamessungen mit physiologischen Tierparametern korreliert, um sie in Bezug auf das thermische Wohlbefinden der Tiere interpretieren zu können. An heißen Tagen wichen die analysierten Parameter deutlich von den übrigen Tagen ab.The investigation of barn climate and heat stress is important with regard to both welfare of dairy cows and performance. For this reason climate measurements in- and outside of a natural cross ventilated dairy barn have been conducted. Special emphasis was devoted to measurements on air speed within the animal occupied zone of the stable. The air speed was heterogeneously distributed and the results showed areas which were permanently less ventilated than others. However, climate measurements should be correlated to physiological animal parameters in order to interpret the barn conditions in respect of thermal comfort of the animals. On hot days, the parameters analyzed showed clear differences from the other days

Liver resection or combined chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation improve survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background/ Aims: To evaluate the long-term outcome of surgical and non-surgical local treatments of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: We stratified a cohort of 278 HCC patients using six independent predictors of survival according to the Vienna survival model for HCC (VISUM- HCC). Results: Prior to therapy, 224 HCC patients presented with VISUM stage 1 (median survival 18 months) while 29 patients were classified as VISUM stage 2 (median survival 4 months) and 25 patients as VISUM stage 3 (median survival 3 months). A highly significant (p < 0.001) improved survival time was observed in VISUM stage 1 patients treated with liver resection ( n = 52; median survival 37 months) or chemoembolization (TACE) and subsequent radiofrequency ablation ( RFA) ( n = 44; median survival 45 months) as compared to patients receiving chemoembolization alone (n = 107; median survival 13 months) or patients treated by tamoxifen only (n = 21; median survival 6 months). Chemoembolization alone significantly (p <= 0.004) improved survival time in VISUM stage 1 - 2 patients but not (p = 0.341) in VISUM stage 3 patients in comparison to those treated by tamoxifen. Conclusion: Both liver resection or combined chemoembolization and RFA improve markedly the survival of patients with HCC