Application of radio frequency based digital thermometer for real-time monitoring of dairy cattle rectal temperature

et al. 2020

The microbial community within the rumen can be changed and shaped by heat stress. Accumulating data have suggested that different breeds of dairy cows have differential heat stress resistance; however, the underlying mechanism by which nonanimal factors contribute to heat stress are yet to be understood. This study is designed to determine changes in the rumen microbiome of Holstein and Jersey cows to normal and heat stress conditions. Under heat stress conditions, Holstein cows had a significantly higher respiration rate than Jersey cows. Heat stress increased the rectal temperature of Holstein but not Jersey cows. In the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, Jersey cows had a significantly higher proportion of genes associated with energy metabolism in the normal condition than that with other treatments. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) results identified six taxa as distinguishing taxa between normal and heat stress conditions in Holstein cows; in Jersey cows, 29 such taxa were identified. Changes in the rumen bacterial taxa were more sensitive to heat stress in Jersey cows than in Holstein cows, suggesting that the rumen mechanism is different in both breeds in adapting to heat stress. Collectively, distinct changes in rumen bacterial taxa and functional gene abundance in Jersey cows may be associated with better adaptation ability to heat stress.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Differential Dynamics of the Ruminal Microbiome of Jersey Cows in a Heat Stress Environment

et al. 2020

“…In contrast, at high THI (72–89), the rectal temperature range was 39.0–39.1 °C [ 30 , 31 ]. However, in hot and humid environments, Jersey cows displayed a milder heat-stress response, with rectal temperatures ranging from 37.2−38.7 °C in a THI range of 70–80 [ 32 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Common and Differential Dynamics of the Function of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells between Holstein and Jersey Cows in Heat-Stress Environment

Joo

et al. 2020

Heat stress has been reported to affect the immunity of dairy cows. However, the mechanisms through which this occurs are not fully understood. Two breeds of dairy cow, Holstein and Jersey, have distinct characteristics, including productivity, heat resistance, and disease in high-temperature environments. The objective of this study is to understand the dynamics of the immune response of two breeds of dairy cow to environmental change. Ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA-seq) results were analyzed to characterize the gene expression change of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in Holstein and Jersey cows between moderate temperature-humidity index (THI) and high THI environmental conditions. Many of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified are associated with critical immunological functions, particularly phagocytosis, chemokines, and cytokine response. Among the DEGs, CXCL3 and IL1A were the top down-regulated genes in both breeds of dairy cow, and many DEGs were related to antimicrobial immunity. Functional analysis revealed that cytokine and chemokine response-associated pathways in both Holstein and Jersey PBMCs were the most important pathways affected by the THI environmental condition. However, there were also breed-specific genes and pathways that altered according to THI environmental condition. Collectively, there were both common and breed-specific altered genes and pathways in Holstein and Jersey cows. The findings of this study expand our understanding of the dynamics of immunity in different breeds of dairy cow between moderate THI and high THI environmental conditions.

“…Combining environmental indicators and various physiological indicators to evaluate heat strain from multiple perspectives also has a good prospect. Due to different physiological dynamics, it is possible to distinguish heat strain from other events that may lead to increased body temperature and accelerated breathing, including exercise [ 30 ], diseases (e.g., infectious disease [ 91 ]), physiological processes (e.g., estrous [ 149 ]), and management factors (e.g., bringing cows to the milking parlor [ 96 ]).…”

Section: Comparison and Future Development Of Detection Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, due to the potential damage to the tail and the influence of fecal temperature, this device is not widely used [ 9 , 35 ]. Debnath et al [ 30 ] achieved a real-time measurement for RT in dairy cows using a radiofrequency-based digital thermometer. Lees et al [ 29 ] developed an intra-rectal device to measure RT continuously for 23 h in grazing heifers.…”

Section: Detection Of Heat Strain Based On the Most Commonly Used Animal-based Indicatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is noted by Tresoldi et al [ 36 ] that RT measured a few times a day may result in a relatively lower daily average, especially when measuring only once in the morning. Except for circadian rhythm, many heat-producing events (e.g., feeding, exercise, estrus) would lead to an increased RT [ 30 , 60 ]. Therefore, it is of importance to avoid potential bias from these interfering events when determining the onset of heat strain.…”

Section: Detection Of Heat Strain Based On the Most Commonly Used Animal-based Indicatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Recent Advances on Early Detection of Heat Strain in Dairy Cows Using Animal-Based Indicators: A Review

Shu

Wang

Guo

et al. 2021

In pursuit of precision livestock farming, the real-time measurement for heat strain-related data has been more and more valued. Efforts have been made recently to use more sensitive physiological indicators with the hope to better inform decision-making in heat abatement in dairy farms. To get an insight into the early detection of heat strain in dairy cows, the present review focuses on the recent efforts developing early detection methods of heat strain in dairy cows based on body temperatures and respiratory dynamics. For every candidate animal-based indicator, state-of-the-art measurement methods and existing thresholds were summarized. Body surface temperature and respiration rate were concluded to be the best early indicators of heat strain due to their high feasibility of measurement and sensitivity to heat stress. Future studies should customize heat strain thresholds according to different internal and external factors that have an impact on the sensitivity to heat stress. Wearable devices are most promising to achieve real-time measurement in practical dairy farms. Combined with internet of things technologies, a comprehensive strategy based on both animal- and environment-based indicators is expected to increase the precision of early detection of heat strain in dairy cows.