Effects of Cold Exposure on Some Physiological, Productive, and Metabolic Variables in Lactating Dairy Goats

Abstract

Low winter temperatures in some regions have a negative impact on animal performance, behavior, and welfare. The objective of this study was to evaluate some physiological, metabolic, and lactational responses of dairy goats exposed to cold temperatures for 3 weeks. Eight Murciano-Granadina dairy goats (41.8 kg body weight, 70 days in milk, and 2.13 kg/day milk) were used from mid-January to mid-March. Goats were divided into 2 balanced groups and used in a crossover design with 2 treatments in 2 periods (21 days each, 14 days adaptation and 7 days for measurements). After the first period, goats were switched to the opposite treatment. The treatments included 2 different controlled climatic conditions with different temperature-humidity index (THI) values. The treatments were: thermoneutral conditions (TN; 15 to 20 °C, 45% humidity, THI = 58 to 65), and cold temperature (CT; −3 to 6 °C, 63% humidity, THI = 33 to 46). Goats were fed ad libitum a total mixed ration (70% forage and 30% concentrate) and water was freely available. Goats were milked at 0800 and 1700 h. Dry matter intake, water consumption, rectal temperature, and respiratory rate were recorded daily (days 15 to 21). Body weight was recorded at the start and end of each period. Milk samples for composition were collected on 2 consecutive days (days 20 and 21). Insulin, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured in blood on d 21. Compared to TN goats, CT goats had similar feed intake, but lower water consumption (−22 ± 3%), respiratory rate (−5 ± 0.8 breaths/min), and rectal temperature (−0.71 ± 0.26 °C). Milk yield decreased by 13 ± 3% in CT goats, but their milk contained more fat (+13 ± 4%) and protein (+14 ± 5%), and consequently the energy-corrected milk did not vary between TN and CT goats. The CT goats lost 0.64 kg of body weight, whereas TN goats gained 2.54 kg in 21 days. Blood insulin and cholesterol levels were not affected by CT. However, values of blood glucose, NEFA, hematocrit, and hemoglobin increased or tended to increase by CT, whereas BHB and triglycerides decreased. Overall, CT goats produced less but concentrated milk compared to TN goats. Despite similar feed intake and blood insulin levels CT goats had increased blood glucose and NEFA levels. The tendency of increased blood NEFA indicates that CT goats mobilized body fat reserves to cover the extra energy needed for heat production under cold conditions.

Investigating the Short-Term Effects of Cold Stress on Metabolite Responses and Metabolic Pathways in Inner-Mongolia Sanhe Cattle

“…Furthermore, the gene expressions involved in metabolic pathways, transportation pathways, and protein biosynthesis were affected concomitantly. Furthermore, there was little overlap among the metabolites identified in this study when compared to the cold stress responses in the urine samples of rats under both acute and chronic cold stress patterns [ 23 , 25 , 44 ], in the liver of yellow drum [ 45 ], and in the blood of dairy goats [ 46 ] exposed to cold stress. These studies reveal the diversity of metabolic regulation under cold conditions due to the differences presented in experimental species, detection platform, and the degree and intensity of the cold treatments.…”

Dietary Eucommia ulmoides Extract Alleviates the Effect of Cold Stress on Chick Growth Performance, Antioxidant and Immune Ability

“…Cold stress can reduce the growth performance of animals, such as BW and feed efficiency [ 57 , 58 , 59 ]. In the present study, the chicks supplemented with EUE showed better growth performance of higher BW ( p < 0.01) and ADG ( p < 0.05) and lower F/G ( p < 0.001) throughout the study period, and higher AFI at 0–7 d ( p < 0.001).…”

Mitigation Strategies for Cold Stress for Enhancing Livestock Productivity in Temperate Areas of Himachal Pradesh

“…Increase in feed intake [25], decrease in water intake [20] Use of high-quality forage or pastures Fat supplementation in ration Adlib warm water 4. Production Decrease in milk production, increase in body wool, hair and fleece [26].…”

“…There is also a concomitant decrease in rectal temperature. The levels of hemoglobin concentration (Hb), packet cell volume (PCV), total erythrocyte counts (TEC) and total leucocyte count (TLC) are higher during winter and lower during summer [16][17][18][19][20]. It has also been observed that the levels of Hb, PCV and TEC are higher in breeds adaptated to cold hilly climate due to low level of oxygen concentration and higher Hb and TEC counts help to meet up the oxygen requirement in the body [16,21,22].…”

“…Prolonged exposure to the mild cold conditions leads to physiological adaptation in animals i.e., increased thermal insulation, higher appetite and basal metabolic intensity, as well as alterations in digestive functions. When animals are exposed to extreme cold stress, substantial dietary energy gets diverted from production towards the generation of body heat [20,25]. The average milk yield decreases as the temperature's declines.…”