Effect of Season and Age on Thermophysiological and Hematological Variables of Crossbred Dairy Calves in Tropical Environment

Background: The wellbeing and performance of calves may be impaired if raised in high temperature environments. Physiological and hematological variables serve as a tool to assess the welfare of cattle; therefore, the influence of seasons and age on physiological and hematological variables was evaluated of crossbred dairy calves in a tropical environment.Materials, Methods & Results: Forty-two male and female calves were evaluated from July 2016 to July 2017, when the calves were of 2, 15, 30, and 60 days of age. Respiratory (RR) and heart rates (HR) and rectal (RT) and body surface (BST) temperatures were quantified in the morning. Additionally, in the morning, dry bulb (Tdb) and wet bulb (Twb) temperatures were measured, and then, relative humidity (RH) and a temperature-humidity index (THI) were calculated. Blood was collected to perform hemogram. The day before the calves were evaluated, thermal environment data were collected to verify whether there were cyclic periods of heat stress. The mean air temperature ranged from 19°C to 22.1°C, and the highest THI value of 68 occurred in the summer mornings. In the afternoon, the maximum air temperature ranged from 27.5°C to 29.7°C. In autumn, respiratory and heart rates and body surface temperature were higher in 2-day-old calves than in other ages. The body surface temperature of 60-day-old calves was higher in spring and summer than in autumn. Rectal temperature remained in the normal range throughout the study period. Season did not influence the erythrogram and plaquetogram. The values for red blood cells, MCV, MCHC, RDW, platelets, and MPV varied among the calf ages. Season did not influence the values of leukocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes, or N/L ratio; however, band neutrophils and eosinophils varied among seasons. Band neutrophils and monocytes were not altered by age, whereas leukocyte, segmented neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and N/L ratio values varied with age among the calves.Discussion: The air temperature and THI remained within the thermoneutral zone of crossbred dairy calves in the morning; however, in the afternoon the air temperature and THI increased, which indicates cyclic periods of critical heat stress. Higher RR and HR values observed in 2-day-old calves may be due to the physiological changes that accompany adapting to extrauterine life. The RT remained within the reference range for species during all seasons and at all ages, and therefore, the calves were able to maintain normothermia. The air temperature remained lower than the BST and was within the thermoneutral zone; thus, the loss of sensible heat was predominant in relation to evaporation dissipation. Age, breed, time of day, and meteorological variables may influence hematological constituents. Red blood cells of newborn calves are large, of fetal origin, and are replaced by smaller cells with advancing age, which results in a smaller MCV value. The higher neutrophil concentrations in 2-day-old calves resulted in a higher N/L ratio following the trend of plasma cortisol concentration, which is high at birth and decreases with age. The highest values of band neutrophils are because these cells are responsible for phagocytosis of microorganisms and other foreign materials. Since new-born calves are in contact with microorganisms in the environment and are highly susceptible to infections, it is justifiable to observe an increased number of band neutrophils. The differences observed in lymphocyte numbers in calves aged 30 and 60 days during autumn, winter, and spring is likely due to the production of B lymphocytes as an exposure response to agents present in the environment. We conclude that seasons interfere with BST and neutrophil and eosinophil counts, while age affects thermophysiological variables, erythrogram, plaquetogram, and leukogram

Integridade óssea de tíbias de frangos de corte submetidos ao estresse cíclico de calor

Foram estudadas alterações macroscópicas e microscópicas na região epifisária da tíbia no 42º dia de frangos de corte submetidos ao estresse cíclico de calor por uma hora em diferentes fases de criação. Os tratamentos compreenderam aves criadas em condições naturais de temperatura e umidade relativa do primeiro ao 42o dia de idade (controle), ou estressadas por calor do 16º ao 21º dia, do 22º ao 42º dia e do 16º ao 42º dia. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado com seis repetições sendo 35 aves por unidade experimental. Para análises macro e microscópicas da tíbia, fragmentos da região epifisária foram extraídos e seccionados longitudinalmente. Os dados de escores de lesões tibiais foram analisados pelo teste de Kruskall Wallis a 5%. O estresse cíclico por calor por uma hora não alterou a integridade morfológica da região epifisária da tíbia nos diferentes tratamentos. Frangos de corte submetidos por uma hora diária ao estresse de calor não desenvolvem lesões sugestivas de discondroplasia tibial independente da fase de criação

Occurrence of heat waves in Triangulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaiba and their effect on milk yield and feed intake in cattle

The aim of this study was to estimate milk production and food consumption during the occurrence of heat waves in the Triangulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaiba, MG by means of bioclimatic zoning based on the Temperature and Humidity Index (THI). Therefore a history of heat wave occurrence between the years 2000-2010 was compiled. The decline in milk production (DMP) and reduced food consumption (RFC) were simulated in cities where periods of heat waves were identified. Frutal and Ituiutaba had the highest rate of heat wave occurrence per year. The DMP and RFC showed bioclimatic differences between the cities of Uberaba, Ituiutaba and Frutal. The cities with the best bioclimatic conditions were Sacramento and Patrocinio, as they presented a THI classified outside of the emergency range, with a night THI of below 76 and without heat waves. Therefore, the occurrence of heat waves can impair food intake and decrease milk production, thereby most effectively demonstrating the effects of thermal stress on dairy cows in the Triangulo Mineiro and Alto Paranaiba, MG region

Physiology, cell dynamics of small intestinal mucosa, and performance of broiler chickens under heat stress: a review

Summary High room temperature reduces production efficiency of broiler chickens. Different factors contribute to this situation: fast growth, physiological variations, and changes in the small intestine mucosa. This review aims to define the concept of heat stress and its effects on several physiological aspects related to the development of the small intestine mucosa and the performance of broiler chickens. Heat stress triggers a corticosteroid increase and a circulating triiodothyronine hormone (T3) reduction, increases respiratory frequency, which triggers respiratory alkalosis, diminishes food intake, and leads to changes in the cellular dynamics of the small intestine mucosa. These changes depend on animal genotype, intensity, and duration of the stressor. Acute heat stress leads to a reduction in enterocyte proliferation and also to a decrease in crypt depth, without affecting villus height or villus/crypt ratio. On the other hand, chronic stress diminishes villus height and jejunum weight. These changes affect the capacity of broilers to digest and absorb the nutrients required for maintenance and production.Resumo A temperatura ambiente elevada diminui a eficiência produtiva de frangos de corte. Diferentes fatores contribuem para esta situação: crescimento rápido, mudanças fisiológicas e alterações na mucosa do intestino delgado. Nesta revisão, o objetivo foi definir o conceito de estresse pelo calor e seus efeitos sobre algunos aspectos da fisiologia, no desenvolvimento da mucosa do intestino delgado e o desempenho de frangos de corte. O estresse pelo calor desencadeia aumento nos níveis de corticosteroides e redução do hormônio triiodotironina (T3) circulante, aumenta a frequência respiratória, resultando em alcalose respiratória, diminui a ingestão de alimentos e desencadeia alterações na dinâmica celular da mucosa do intestino delgado. Essas alterações dependem do genótipo do animal e da intensidade e duração da ação do agente estressor. O estresse pelo calor agudo promove diminuição na proliferação dos enterócitos, redução na profundidade das criptas sem alteração na altura das vilosidades e na relação vilo/cripta. Já o estresse crônico diminui a altura das vilosidades e peso do jejuno. Estas alterações afetam a capacidade do frango de corte de digerir e absorver nutrientes para sua manutenção e produção.Resumen Una alta temperatura ambiente disminuye la eficiencia de la producción de pollos de engorde. Diversos factores contribuyen a esta situación: crecimiento rápido, cambios fisiológicos, y anomalías de la mucosa del intestino delgado. El objetivo de la presente revisión fue definir el concepto de estrés calórico y sus efectos sobre algunos aspectos de la fisiología, en el desarrollo de la mucosa del intestino delgado, y en el rendimiento de pollos de engorde. El estrés calórico desencadena un aumento de los niveles de corticosteroides, reducción de la hormona triyodotironina (T3) circulante, aumento en la frecuencia respiratoria que resulta en alcalosis respiratoria, disminuye la ingesta de alimentos y provoca cambios en la dinámica celular de la mucosa del intestino delgado. Estos cambios dependen del genotipo del animal y de la intensidad y duración de la acción del factor estresante. El estrés calórico agudo causa una disminución en la proliferación de enterocitos, reducción de la profundidad de las criptas sin cambio en la altura de las vellosidades y en la relación vellosidades/cripta. Ya el estrés crónico disminuye la altura de las vellosidades y el peso del yeyuno. Estos cambios afectan la capacidad del pollo de engorde para digerir y absorber los nutrientes para su mantenimiento y producción

MÊS DE COLETA DE SANGUE, ORDEM E ESTÁDIO DE LACTAÇÃO E HORMÔNIOS TIREOIDIANOS EM VACAS GUZERÁ

Thyroid hormones are important metabolic modulators, influence the growth and development of the mammary gland and participate in the regulation of milk production. The objective was to investigate the effects of month of blood collection, parity and stage of lactation on thyroxine (T4) and 3, 5, 3' triiodothyronine (T3) concentration in 31 Guzerat cows, in Uberlândia, MG, Brazil. The hormonal dosages were made from blood samples collected monthly, during eleven months. Cows in first third lactation had T4 concentration lower than the non-lactating and cows in middle and final thirds of lactation. The month of blood collection influenced the T4 concentration; the highest concentration was detected in April and lowest in July. In animals at the 1st to 6th parity, T3 concentration did not vary according to the stage of lactation, while at the 7th and 8th parity, the T3 concentration were higher at final third of lactation, and lower at initial third of lactation and in non-lactating cows. Nonlactating cows and cows at the initial and middle thirds of lactation presented the highest T3 concentration in March. Non-lactating cows and cows at the initial third of lactation had lower T3 concentration in January and April to December. Cows in middle thirds lactation had lower T3 values in June, October and December. The lowest concentration of T4 occurs in Guzerat cows, in the first third of lactation, which reflects the great demand of the mammary gland. The order of lactation did not influence the values of T4 and T3. The month of collection influence the values of T4 and T3 for the month of collection is dependent on the stage of lactation

Effect of Season and Age on Thermophysiological and Hematological Variables of Crossbred Dairy Calves in Tropical Environment

Background: The wellbeing and performance of calves may be impaired if raised in high temperature environments. Physiological and hematological variables serve as a tool to assess the welfare of cattle; therefore, the influence of seasons and age on physiological and hematological variables was evaluated of crossbred dairy calves in a tropical environment.Materials, Methods & Results: Forty-two male and female calves were evaluated from July 2016 to July 2017, when the calves were of 2, 15, 30, and 60 days of age. Respiratory (RR) and heart rates (HR) and rectal (RT) and body surface (BST) temperatures were quantified in the morning. Additionally, in the morning, dry bulb (Tdb) and wet bulb (Twb) temperatures were measured, and then, relative humidity (RH) and a temperature-humidity index (THI) were calculated. Blood was collected to perform hemogram. The day before the calves were evaluated, thermal environment data were collected to verify whether there were cyclic periods of heat stress. The mean air temperature ranged from 19°C to 22.1°C, and the highest THI value of 68 occurred in the summer mornings. In the afternoon, the maximum air temperature ranged from 27.5°C to 29.7°C. In autumn, respiratory and heart rates and body surface temperature were higher in 2-day-old calves than in other ages. The body surface temperature of 60-day-old calves was higher in spring and summer than in autumn. Rectal temperature remained in the normal range throughout the study period. Season did not influence the erythrogram and plaquetogram. The values for red blood cells, MCV, MCHC, RDW, platelets, and MPV varied among the calf ages. Season did not influence the values of leukocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes, or N/L ratio; however, band neutrophils and eosinophils varied among seasons. Band neutrophils and monocytes were not altered by age, whereas leukocyte, segmented neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and N/L ratio values varied with age among the calves.Discussion: The air temperature and THI remained within the thermoneutral zone of crossbred dairy calves in the morning; however, in the afternoon the air temperature and THI increased, which indicates cyclic periods of critical heat stress. Higher RR and HR values observed in 2-day-old calves may be due to the physiological changes that accompany adapting to extrauterine life. The RT remained within the reference range for species during all seasons and at all ages, and therefore, the calves were able to maintain normothermia. The air temperature remained lower than the BST and was within the thermoneutral zone; thus, the loss of sensible heat was predominant in relation to evaporation dissipation. Age, breed, time of day, and meteorological variables may influence hematological constituents. Red blood cells of newborn calves are large, of fetal origin, and are replaced by smaller cells with advancing age, which results in a smaller MCV value. The higher neutrophil concentrations in 2-day-old calves resulted in a higher N/L ratio following the trend of plasma cortisol concentration, which is high at birth and decreases with age. The highest values of band neutrophils are because these cells are responsible for phagocytosis of microorganisms and other foreign materials. Since new-born calves are in contact with microorganisms in the environment and are highly susceptible to infections, it is justifiable to observe an increased number of band neutrophils. The differences observed in lymphocyte numbers in calves aged 30 and 60 days during autumn, winter, and spring is likely due to the production of B lymphocytes as an exposure response to agents present in the environment. We conclude that seasons interfere with BST and neutrophil and eosinophil counts, while age affects thermophysiological variables, erythrogram, plaquetogram, and leukogram

Most Appropriate Heat Stress Index for Half-blood Dairy Heifers

Background: Heat stress indexes integrate several variables of the thermal environment in a single figure and predict their impact on animal welfare and performance. The correct interpretation of these indexes is of help in the choice of more adequate measures to attenuate the stress caused by the heat. Therefore, the aim of this research is to examine some of the heat stress indexes mentioned in the literature and to decide which ones best reflect the potential impact of meteorological conditions on the thermal homeostasis of half-blood dairy heifers bred in Uberlândia, Triângulo Mineiro area, Minas Gerais, Brazil.Materials, Methods & Results: Eight half-blood dairy heifers were exposed to direct sunlight from 9 h to 13 h in the months of November and December of 2016, and also January and February of 2017, 5 days per month on average, in Uberlândia, MG, Brazil. After this challenge, the respiratory rate and the rectal temperature were measured. Simultaneously to the collection of physiological variables, the temperatures of dry bulb and wet bulb, as well as that of black globe, were quantified, as was the wind speed. Afterwards, the solar radiation, the relative humidity, the mean radiant temperature and some heat stress indexes were calculated, the latter being Temperature-Humidity Index, Black Globe-Humidity Index, Equivalent Temperature Index, Environmental Stress Index, Respiratory Rate Index, Thermal Load Index, Environmental Specification Index, Thermal Comfort Index for Dairy Cattle, Comprehensive Climate Index and Cattle Heat Stress Index. These indexes were, then, correlated with the physiological variables. The averages of room temperature, black globe temperature, solar radiation, wind speed, radiant temperature and relative humidity were, respectively, 29.96°C, 41.73°C, 831.02 W/m2, 0.11 m/s-1, 318.14 K and 50.51%. Rectal temperature averaged 38.8ºC while respiratory rate averaged 41.97 breaths per minute-1. Correlating the 10 heat stress indexes with these two physiological variables, it was verified that the highest values, with a confidence of 95%, were demonstrated by the Equivalent Temperature Index (0.200 and 0.317, respectively), followed by the Cattle Heat Stress Index (0.186 and 0.314, respectively).Discussion: Room temperature was within the thermoneutral zone for half-blood dairy cattle. Nevertheless, the mean radiant temperature and the black globe temperature were higher, due to intense solar radiation. Wind speed was not very expressive and relative humidity was close to what was required. The average values of rectal temperature and respiratory rate were normal, which indicated the heifers are adapted to the thermal environment. Regarding the heat stress indexes, the Equivalent Temperature Index was recommended, as it presented the highest amount of meaningful correlations with the physiological variables, followed by the Cattle Heat Stress Index and the Environmental Stress Index. The average value of the Equivalent Temperature Index remained in the “caution” category, according to the literature’s two existing scales for interpretation of said index’s results, indicating the occurrence of stress by heat, albeit not severe. In conclusion, the Equivalent Temperature Index is considered the most appropriate heat stress index for evaluating a heat stress situation in half-blood dairy heifers bred in Uberlândia, Triângulo Mineiro, followed by the Cattle Heat Stress Index and the Environmental Stress Index