• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1558-1564
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• 2015

Cutaneous evaporative heat loss in Bos indicus and Bos taurus has been well documented. Nonetheless, how crossbreds with different fractional genetic proportions respond to such circumstances is of interest. A study to examine the physiological responses to cutaneous evaporative heat loss, also lactation period and milk yield, were conducted in Sahiwal (Bos indicus, n = 10, $444{\pm}64.8kg$, $9{\pm}2.9years$), Holstein Friesian (Bos taurus, HF100% (n = 10, $488{\pm}97.9kg$, $6{\pm}2.8years$)) and the following crossbreds: HF50% (n = 10, $355{\pm}40.7kg$, $2{\pm}0years$) and HF87.5% (n = 10, $489{\pm}76.8kg$, $7{\pm}1.8years$). They were allocated so as to determine the physiological responses of sweating rate (SR), respiration rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), and skin temperature (ST) with and without hair from 06:00 h am to 15:00 h pm. And milk yield during 180 days were collected at days from 30 to 180. The ambient temperature-humidity-index (THI) increased from less than 80 in the early morning to more than 90 in the late afternoon. The interaction of THI and breed were highly affected on SR, RR, RT, and ST (p<0.01). The SR was highest in Sahiwal ($595g/m^2/h$) compared to HF100% ($227g/m^2/h$), and their crossbreds both HF50% ($335g/m^2/h$) and HF87.5% ($299g/m^2/h$). On the other hand, RR was higher in HF87.5% (54 bpm) and both HF100% (48 bpm) and HF50% (42 bpm) than Sahiwal (25 bpm) (p<0.01). The RT showed no significant differences as a result of breed (p>0.05) but did change over time. The ST with and without hair were similar, and was higher in HF100% ($37.4^{\circ}C$; $38.0^{\circ}C$) and their crossbred HF50% ($35.5^{\circ}C$; $35.5^{\circ}C$) and HF87.5% ($37.1^{\circ}C$; $37.9^{\circ}C$) than Sahiwal ($34.8^{\circ}C$; $34.8^{\circ}C$) (p<0.01). Moreover, the early lactation were higher at HF100% (25 kg) and 87.5% (25 kg) than HF50% (23 kg) which were higher than Sahiwal (18 kg) while the peak period of lactation was higher at HF100% (35 kg) than crossbreds both HF87.5% and HF50% (32 kg) which was higher than Sahiwal (26 kg) (p<0.05). In conclusion, sweating and respiration were the main vehicle for dissipating excess body heat for Sahiwal, HF and crossbreds, respectively. The THI at 76 to 80 were the critical points where the physiological responses to elevated temperature displayed change.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.826-833
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• 2019

Objective: This study was performed to evaluate whether hot temperature and rumen-protected fat (RPF) supplementation affect growth performance, rumen characteristics, and serum metabolites in growing stage of Korean cattle steers. Methods: Twenty Korean cattle steers ($230.4{\pm}4.09kg$ of body weight [BW], $10.7{\pm}0.09months$ of age) were divided into a conventional control diet group (n = 10) and a 0.8% RPF supplementation group (n = 10). Steers were fed 1.5% BW of a concentrate diet and 4 kg of tall fescue hay for 16 weeks (July 10 to August 6 [P1], August 7 to September 3 [P2], September 4 to October 1 [P3], October 2 to 30 [P4], of 2015). Results: The mean temperature-humidity index (THI) was higher (p<0.001) in P1 (76.8), P2 (76.3), and P3 (75.9) than in P4 (50.9). The mean THI of P1-3 were within the alert heat stress (HS) category range according to previously reported categories for feedlot cattle, and the mean THI of P4 was under the thermo-neutral range. Neither month nor RPF supplementation affected (p>0.05) average daily gain and gain to feed ratio. Month and RPF supplementation affected concentrations of glucose, albumin, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL); those of albumin and glucose tended to decrease (p<0.10), but HDL concentration increased (p<0.01) by RPF supplementation. Neither month nor RPF affected (p>0.05) ruminal pH, $NH_3-N$, and volatile fatty acid concentrations, whereas the C2:C3 ratio was affected (p<0.05) by month. Conclusion: Korean cattle may not have been significantly affected by alert HS during the growing stage. Growth performance was higher during hotter months, although some changes in blood metabolites were observed. The RPF supplementation affected some blood lipids and carbohydrate metabolites but did not affect growth performance.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.61 no.6
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• pp.340-351
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• 2019

Hot environments can affect feed intake and lactation, and the subsequent unavailability of important micronutrients to the newborn piglet can impair piglet growth, reduce the viability of newborn piglets and limit their subsequent performance. This work addresses the effects of hot environments (summer season) upon the reproductive performance of sows during gestation and lactation as well as on the serum levels of vitamins and the concentration of immunoglobulins in their litters in comparison with the winter season. Fourteen sows were evaluated over 100 ± 2 days of gestation in each season. The temperature and humidity index (THI) was used as an indirect measure of heat stress during gestation. The reproductive performance, milk yield, and body condition of the sows were recorded. The concentrations of vitamin E and vitamin A in piglets and in sow serum, colostrum, milk and feed were determined by HPLC; immunoglobulins were assessed by an ELISA. The THI index indicated that animals were subject to heat stress only in during the summer. Although the effect was not significant, there were a lower number of piglets at birth and at weaning and the milk yield in summer compared with winter. There was no difference (p > 0.05) in the body condition of sows between seasons. Season had an effect (p < 0.05) on the vitamin A concentration of postpartum sow serum (0.29 ㎍/mL in winter vs 0.21 ㎍/mL in summer) and on the vitamin E concentration before birth (2.00 ㎍/mL in winter vs 0.90 ㎍/mL in summer). Vitamin E in milk was higher (p < 0.05) in winter than in summer (2.23 vs 1.81 ㎍/mL). Serum levels of vitamins A and E in piglets at birth were lower (p < 0.05) in winter than in summer. The concentrations of immunoglobulins (IgG and IgA) in colostrum and milk were similar between seasons (p > 0.05), but the IgA in piglet serum was higher in winter than in summer (p < 0.05). High temperatures produced heat stress in sows, which affected certain aspects of production that can be translated into economic losses for this sector.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1188-1193
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• 2005

An investigation was carried out to study the effect of two housing systems on physiological responses and energy expenditure of sheep in a semi-arid region of India. Two types of housing management were adopted. First was a shed- $6{\times}3\;m^2$ structure with all the four sides of 1.8 m chain link fencing with a central height of 3 m. The roof was covered with asbestos sheets and with mud floorings. Second was an open corral- $6{\times}3\;m^2$ open space with all the four sides covered with 1.8 m chain link fencing. Thirty-four (32 ewes and 2 rams) sheep of native Malpura breed aged about 18 months (body weight 28 kg ewes; 35 kg rams) were grazed together on a 35 ha plot of native range. All the sheep were grazed as a flock from 08.00 to 17.00 h during a yearlong study. The flock was divided into two groups (16 ewes+1 ram) in the evening and housed as per the systems (Shed and Open Corral). Dry and wet temperatures were recorded at 06.00 h and 21.00 h using a wet and dry bulb-thermometer both inside the shed and in the open corral and temperature humidity index (THI) was calculated. There was significant (p<0.05) difference in the THI between shed and open corral in all the seasons, indicating that shed was always warmer compared to open corral. Rectal temperature (RT) of both the groups of sheep was similar during morning as well as evening throughout the seasons. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in the skin temperature (ST) and respiration rate (RR) between the two groups at both the measurements in all the seasons. Highest energy expenditure (EE) was recorded inside the shed at 21.00 h (224 kJ/h) during monsoon and lowest at 6.00 h during winter (119 kJ/h). There was a significant (p<0.05) difference between the EE inside the shed and that in the open corral. It was concluded that housing had significant effects on the physiological responses and EE of sheep. Provision of housing at night was stressful during monsoon (with less rainfall) and summer, whereas it was protecting the sheep from acute cold during winter in a semi-arid region of India.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.355-365
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of supplemental recombinant bovine somatotropin (rbST) and cooling with misters and fans on renal function in relation to regulation of body fluids in different stages of lactation in crossbred Holstein cattle. Ten, 87.5% crossbred Holstein cattle were divided into two groups of 5 animals each, housing in a normal shaded barn (NS) and in a shaded barn with a mister-fans cooling system (MF). The experiment in each group was divided into 3 phases, early- (Day 75 postpartum), mid- (Day 135 postpartum), and late stage of lactation (Day 195 postpartum). The pre-treatment study was conducted on the starting day of each stage of lactation and the treatment study was performed after the end of the pre-treatment, during which the animal was injected with 500 mg of rbST (POSILAC) every 14 days for three times. During the study, ambient temperature at the hottest period daily in the MF barn was significantly lower, while relative humidity was higher than that of the NS barn. The temperature humidity index (THI) in both barns ranged from 79-85 throughout the periods of study. Cows in the MF barn showed a lower rectal temperature and respiration rate as compared with cows in the NS barn. The effect of rbST administration increased both rectal temperature and respiration rates of cows housed in either the NS or MF barn. Milk yield significantly increased in cows treated with rbST in all stages of lactation. Increases in mammary blood flow, accompanied by increases of total body water (TBW), extracellular fluid (ECF), blood volume (BV) and plasma volume (PV), were observed in both groups of cows receiving rbST in all stages of lactation. No alterations of renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate were observed in cows receiving rbST, but decreases in urinary excretion and fractional excretion of sodium, potassium and chloride ions appeared to correlate with reduction in the rate of urine flow and osmolar clearance during rbST administration. These results suggest that the effect of rbST supplementation to cows housed either in NS or MF barns on body fluid volume expansion is attributable to changes in the rate of electrolyte excretion by the kidney. The increased availability of renal tubular reabsorption of sodium, potassium and chloride ions during rbST treatment was a major factor in retaining body water through its colligative properties in exerting formation of an osmotic force mechanism.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.334-342
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• 2015

The present study was designed to evaluate how environmental factors in a dry-summer subtropical climate in Terceira-Azores (situated in the North Atlantic Ocean: $38^{\circ}43^{\prime}N27^{\circ}12^{\prime}W$) can affect dairy cow (Holstein) fertility, as well as seasonal influence on in vitro oocytes maturation and embryos development. Impact of heat shock (HS) effects on in vitro oocyte's maturation and further embryo development after in vitro fertilization (IVF) was also evaluated. For such purpose the result of the first artificial insemination (AI) performed 60 to 90 days after calving of 6,300 cows were recorded for one year. In parallel, climatic data was obtained at different elevation points (n = 5) from 0 to 1,000 m and grazing points from 0 to 500 m, in Terceira island, and the temperature humidity index (THI) was calculated. For in vitro experiments, oocytes (n = 706) were collected weekly during all year, for meiotic maturation and IVF. Further, to evaluate HS effect, 891 oocytes were collected in the cold moths (December, January, February and March) and divided in three groups treated to HS for 24 h during in vitro maturation at: C (Control = $38.5^{\circ}C$), HS1 ($39.5^{\circ}C$) and HS2 ($40.5^{\circ}C$). Oocytes from each group were used for meiotic assessment and IVF. Cleavage, morula and blastocyst development were evaluated respectively on day 2, 6, and 9 after IVF. A negative correlation between cow's conception rate (CR) and THI in grazing points (-91.3%; p<0.001) was observed. Mean THI in warmer months (June, July, August and September) was $71.7{\pm}0.7$ and the CR ($40.2{\pm}1.5%$) while in cold months THI was $62.8{\pm}0.2$ and CR was $63.8{\pm}0.4%$. A similar impact was obtained with in vitro results in which nuclear maturation rate (NMR) ranged from 78.4% (${\pm}8.0$) to 44.3% (${\pm}8.1$), while embryos development ranged from 53.8% (${\pm}5.8$) to 36.3% (${\pm}3.3$) in cold and warmer months respectively. In vitro HS results showed a significant decline (p<0.05) on NMR of oocytes for every $1^{\circ}C$ rising temperature ($78.4{\pm}8.0$, $21.7{\pm}3.1$ and $8.9{\pm}2.2$, respectively for C, HS1, and HS2). Similar results were observed in cleavage rate and embryo development, showing a clear correlation (96.9 p<0.05) between NMR and embryo development with respect to temperatures. Results clearly demonstrated that, up to a THI of 70.6, a decrease in the CR occurs in first AI after calving; this impairment was confirmed with in vitro results.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.1433-1442
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• 2021

In this study, Saccharomyces cerevisiae culture fluid (SCCF) has been added to a diet of lactating dairy cows to attempt to improve the ruminal fermentation and potentially increase the dry matter intake (DMI) and milk yield. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of SCCF on the milk yield and blood biochemistry in lactating cows during the summer. Twenty-four Holstein dairy cows were randomly assigned to one of four treatments: (1) total mixed ration (TMR-1) (Control); (2) TMR-1 supplemented with SCCF (T1); (3) TMR-2 (containing alfalfa hay) (T2); and (4) TMR-2 supplemented with SCCF (T3). SCCF (5 ml/head, 2.0×10⁷ CFU/mL) was mixed with TMRs daily before feeding to dairy cows. The mean daily temperature-humidity index (THI) during this trial was 76.92 ± 0.51 on average and ranged from 73.04 to 81.19. For particle size distribution, TMR-2 had a lower >19 mm fraction and a higher 8-9 mm fraction than TMR-1 (p < 0.05). The type of TMR did not influence the DMI, body weight (BW), milk yield and composition, or blood metabolites. The milk yield and composition were not affected by the SCCF supplementation, but somatic cell counts were reduced by feeding SCCF (p < 0.05). Feeding SCCF significantly increased the DMI but did not affect the milk yield of dairy cows. The NEFA concentration was slightly decreased compared to that in the control and T2 groups without SCCF. Feeding a yeast culture of S. cerevisiae may improve the feed intake, milk quality and energy balance of dairy cows under heat stress.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.266-275
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• 2022

The impact of heat stress (HS) on reproductive performance and its problems in cows remains to be investigated in Bangladesh. The study was, therefore, aimed to evaluate the effect of HS on fertility and reproductive health problems of dairy cows in a selected area of Bangladesh. A total of 1,095 cows from 500 farms were included in this study. The climate-related data were recorded daily basis for every month in a year and temperature-humidity index (THI) values were calculated to determine the level of HS. Concurrently, data on fertility parameters [number of services per conception (NSC), conception rate (CR) and calving to the first service interval (CFSI)], and reproductive problems were collected through a pre-defined questionnaire. The results show that crossbred [Native x Holstein-Friesian, (HF)] cows were more vulnerable (p < 0.05) to a magnitude of HS effects considering physiological parameters of cows [age, body condition score (BCS), parity and milk yield]. Regarding fertility, HS had no effect on NSC, CR and CFSI in both native and crossbred cows (p > 0.05). The findings on the reproductive problems indicate that HS had significant influence on the prevalence of anestrus (χ² = 21.814, p < 0.05) and retained placenta (χ² = 24.632, p < 0.05) in cows. Of note, the prevalence of repeat breeding syndrome was 2.5 folds higher in stress condition than in no stress condition. Abortion and dystocia were not influenced by HS. In conclusion, HS does not influence the fertility parameters of cows studied; however, anestrus and retained placenta are likely to occur under HS conditions in cows.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.130-139
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• 2017

This study investigated the effect of heat stress on the performance and blood characteristics in commercial pig farms. A total of 180 growing pigs and 180 finishing pigs were assigned to two treatments consisting of thermal-neutral period(TNP) and high-temperature period(HTP) with three replications in floor pen, respectively. Feeding trials in the TNP and HTP were individually performed in autumn and summer seasons, respectively. Temperature-humidity index(THI) was calculated by temperature and humidity. Performance and physiological responses were identified per growth stages and feeding trial. Average temperature and THI were $16.8^{\circ}C$ and 61.4 at the TNP, and $25^{\circ}C$ and 74.3 at the HTP, respectively. Growing pigs in HTP exhibited lower BW, ADG and ADFI than in TNP(p<0.01). Similarly, finishing pigs showed lower growth parameters in HTP than in TNP(p<0.01). Lymphocytes and neutrophils of growing pigs were lower in HTP than in TNP(p<0.05). The serum T-PRO and NEFA in finishing pigs were higher in HTP than in TNP(p<0.05). In HTP, finishing pigs had higher cortisol levels than in TNP. Therefore, HTP can negatively influence growth performance and nutritional metabolism in pigs. Our results may provide useful information for developing feeding programs and diets to control heat stress for swine farms.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.361-368
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• 2012

Effect of vitamin C (VC) on biochemical, hematological and cortisol profile of growing Holstein calves during summer was investigated. Eighteen calves between 14 and 16 weeks of age were divided equally into two groups. One group received a diet supplemented with VC (20 g/d) for 60 days, while other non-supplemented diet fed group served as a control (CON). The temperature humidity index (THI) was recorded and computed during the experiment. From days 0 to 60, the THI exceeded 70. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of each calf at days 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60. Serum albumin and total protein decreased (p<0.05) in CON and VC calves with age. Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase concentrations were not affected by treatments. Serum creatinine, albumin and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase concentrations were higher in calves in the VC group than the CON group. While red blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit were lower (p<0.05) in VC calves, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, red blood cell distribution width and mean platelet volume were higher (p<0.05) in these VC supplemented calves. Leukocyte parameters including white blood cells and full term for lymphocytes were not affected by the treatments. Also, serum cortisol was not affected by treatments. At day 15, 30 and 45, the total VC in plasma was higher (p<0.05) in calves fed with VC. In conclusion, serum cortisols were not affected by plasma VC concentration, while some blood parameters were positively influenced in calves fed with VC.